Tetanus Diphtheria vaccine launched in Wokha, Zunheboto

[caption id="attachment_239996" align="alignnone" width="550"] Shanavas C, deputy commissioner, Zunheboto, handing over the Td vaccine to health worker.[/caption] Dimapur, March 22 (EMN): Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) vaccine was launched at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital on March 22 by Dr. Ritu Thurr, state immunisation officer from the department of health and family welfare. Dr. Ritu Thurr, while announcing replacement of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) with Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) stated that children and pregnant mothers should be immunised from the preventable disease adding the vaccine offers protection against both tetanus and diphtheria. Stating that TT booster dose which was administered to 10 and 16 years of children and pregnant women would now be replaced by Td vaccine which is free of cost and safe vaccine. Introduction of the new vaccine was initiated following outbreak of Diphtheria in the state of Kerela in the year 2016 and as such the Government of India has initiated Td vaccine which is a combination of tetanus and diphtheria to protect against maternal and neonatal tetanus and diphtheria during pregnancy. In a similar programme, district health society (DHS), Zunheboto, organised a short launching programme of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) to Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) at ART centre, District Hospital, Zunheboto. Dr. Rittu Thurr, joint director of SEIO-UIP, DH&FW, speaking at the programme, stated that ministry of health and family welfare has announced replacing of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine with Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) combination vaccine. He stated that replacing the current vaccine with one, which offers protection against both tetanus and diphtheria, would be more beneficial than using a tetanus toxoid vaccine alone. He added that TT booster dose, which is currently administered to children at ages 10 and 16 and a booster dose given to pregnant women as well, would be replaced with Td vaccine. Shanavas C, deputy commissioner, Zunheboto, while addressing the launching programme, as the chief guest urged the participants to convey the message on the importance of vaccines and healthy practices to each and every household. He added that a healthy mind would have a healthy body. He also assured that the administration would help in every possible ways and work hand in hand with the medical department to deliver smooth functioning of health services for the community. Officials from the directorate of health and family welfare, administration, UNICEF, district hospital Zunheboto, CMO office and stakeholders participated at the launching programme.