Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine program launched in Udupi
Udupi, Nov 04, 2021: Udupi Zilla Panchayat CEO and in charge Deputy Commissioner Dr. Naveen Bhat launched Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) program for infants on Thursday.
“As per reports, children below 5 years constitute 15 percent of the total deaths due to Pneumonia. To protect children from Pneumonia, parents should get their children vaccinated with PCV,” Dr. Bhat said after launching the drive at Government Women and Child Hospital at Udupi on Thursday.
“The vaccination drive has been now taken up as part of Universal Immunization Program. There are more possibilities of children within one year being prone to Pneumonia. The vaccine will protect the children. It will be administered in three doses during 1.5 months, 3.5 months, and 9 months,” he said.
“Earlier this vaccine was available only in private hospitals. Now parents can get their children vaccinated at all the government hospitals. Parents should join hands with the government in fighting pneumonia by getting their children vaccinated,” he said.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO) Dr. Nagabhushan Udupi assured parents that the vaccine does not have any side effects. The district proposes to vaccinate 1,150 children.
Dr. Swarnalatha, Dr. Guruprasad, Udupi THO Dr. Vasudeva Upadhyaya, Dr. Rama Rao, I K Jayachandra of Rotary, District RCH officer Dr. M G Rama, District Surgeon Dr. Madhusudhan Nayak were present.
