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Dimapur, June 11 (EMN): Various District Hospitals across Nagaland have launched the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) on June 11. PCV is administered to protect children against pneumococcal diseases caused by a bacterium called pneumococcus.
An update from the Health department stated that pneumococcal infection could lead to serious invasive diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia, as well as milder but more common illness such as sinusitis and otitis media.
It stated that the risk of serious pneumococcal disease is highest in the first year of life and remained high throughout the first 24 months of life. PCV vaccination would prevent diseases and deaths due to pneumococcal infection in children and also reduce the risk of pneumococcal disease among others in the community, it added.
Informing that PCV is an expensive vaccine in the private sector, it however, stated that under the universal immunisation programme (UIP), it would be given free of cost to all eligible infants in the fixed and outreach immunisation sessions. PCV would be given to infants in three doses at 6 weeks, 14 weeks, and 9 months of age.
Report added that in India, PCV has already been introduced in a phased manner since 2017 in five states. While the PCV vaccine is safe and has been well-accepted, it stated that severe adverse reactions attributable to the vaccine are extremely rare. It added that mild side effects such as pain at the injection site and fever could occur.
Kohima: The launching of PCV in Kohima district was held at Primary Health Centre, Kohima village.
Speaking at the programme, the principal director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Neikhrielie Khimiao informed that the new vaccine has been added to the universal (UIP) of government of India, which would protect children from Pneumonia and Meningitis cause by bacterium called Pneumococcus. He informed that PCV would be available in all the district hospitals, UHCs, and PHCs.
The state immunisation officer, Dr. Ritu Thur also spoke on the occasion.
Dimapur: In Dimapur, PCV was launched by the chief medical officer (CMO), Dr. I Moatemjen in his office premises.
Speaking at the launch programme, Dr. Rebecca, district programme officer for UIP/RCH, informed that PCV is being introduced in the routine immunisation under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to protect children against pneumococcal diseases caused by a bacterium called pneumococcus.
She added that all healthcare workers in the district have been trained to administer the PCV under routine immunisation.
Wokha: Wokha launched the PCV at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha.
Delivering the key note address, the chief medical officer (CMO), Wokha, Dr. CW Tungoe stated that the district has targeted to vaccine 1,249 beneficiaries annually. He added that the vaccine has already been distributed to all the health centres for intensive immunisation.
The deputy CMO of Wokha, Dr. Zuben Kikon, informed that the new vaccine was introduced to protect children having respiratory problems and added that full immunisation could protect children from life threatening diseases.
Vaccines were administered to the beneficiaries later in the day.
Kiphire: Kiphire district launched the PCV at District Hospital Kiphire on June 11.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K Pewezo Khalo, DPO (RCH/UIP), underscored the importance of PCV stating that it provides protection against Pneumococcal Pneumonia and meningitis.
He appealed to every parent to bring their child and receive the vaccine from the nearest health centre. He further urged the field workers to utilise the vaccine at the maximum in order to protect vulnerable children from pneumonia and meningitis.
The programme was attended by the staff of District Hospital, UIP, WHO, UNDP, including representatives from NGOs.
Phek: The chief medical officer (CMO), Phek, Dr. Khriezotuo Paphino, launched the PCV at District Hospital. PCV was launched with an aim to protect children from Pneumonia and Meningitis caused by a bacterium called Pneumococcus.
The programme was attended by medical superintendant, program officer and staffs of various vertical programmes.
Dr. Kolhitso Khalo, DPO RCH/UIP, has briefed the gatherings on the objectives of the launching of PCV.
Longleng: The chief medical officer (CMO), Longleng, Dr. Obangjungla officially launched the PCV at District Hospital on June 11.
In his keynote address, Dr. Imnameren Phom, DPO (RCH/UIP), gave a brief introduction on PCV, its importance and benefits. DPO stated that PCV is not a new vaccine in India but has been launched in phase manner.
He added that PCV prevents pneumococcal diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria, which could lead to infections of the lungs, blood and brain. Pneumococcal disease causes health problems in children younger than 5 years of age; this includes meningitis, blood infections and ear infections.
DPO further appealed to all the beneficiaries present at the programme to disseminate information to their friends and colleagues.
Short speeches were delivered by medical superintendent Dr. Kibangkumba and the CMO Dr. Obangjungla.
All the doctors and nurses from District Hospital, programme officers, staff from District Hospital and CMO’s office, representatives from NGOs and ASHAs attended the programme.
Report stated that PCV was also launched at Tamlu CHC, Yachem CHC and Yongnyah PHC. Zunheboto: PCV in Zunheboto district was launched at Khuwaboto SC on June 11. The deputy chief medical officer, Dr. K Akaho Sema, who launched the vaccine, also spoke on the importance of the vaccine.