Nagaland to launch IPPI programme on March 3

DIMAPUR — Nagaland will launch the first phase Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) programme in all the districts on March 3. It would be followed with a mop-up drive on March 5 and 6 for those children who have missed the vaccination.

The IPPI programme would be launched to immunised children from 0-5 years against polio and measles rubella.

In a run-up to the launch event, a meeting at the conference hall of the chief medical officer (CMO), Phek, was held on Tuesday, wherein the CMO, Dr. Avile Zao, requested all the concerned citizens of the district to avail the service at their respective places.

The CMO has also requested the healthcare workers to be ready with all necessary arrangements to ensure success of the the programme.

In another programme, the Dimapur district task force for immunisation held a coordination meeting in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Dimapur order to prepare for the upcoming immunisation programme.

Speaking in the meeting, the district immunisation officer, Rebecca, informed that no wild polio virus has been detected in India since 2011. She added that house-to-house activity would be undertaken on March 4 and 5 to vaccinate missed-out children.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, urged all the departments to extend their support in elimination of measles rubella. He also called upon the gathering to educate the people and to create awareness and remain vigilant.

In a similar programme, the Mokokchung district task force for immunisation held a meeting in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Mokokchung town.

Speaking at the meeting, the district programme officer Dr. Takosunep highlighted about the activities to be carried out during the day. He informed that a total of 5443 children from 0 to 5 years would be administered oral polio vaccine (OPV) covering an estimated of 33552 households. He added that 214 vaccinated booths to be set up across the district, stated an update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Mokokchung.

The deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, Thsuvisie Phoji, who also chaired the programme, called upon the civil society organisations, churches, village councils and allied departments to cooperate for the success of the IPPI programme.