Workshop on  routine immunisation strengthening held in Mon

DIMAPUR — A one-day workshop on routine immunisation (RI) strengthening and vaccine preventable disease surveillance was held on Wednesday at the District Hospital conference hall in Mon.

According to a press release, the training was attended by medical officers, community health officers (CHO), nurses, block programme managers, and the integrated disease surveillance programme team led by the district surveillance officer.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Wungyong, district programme officer (Universal Immunisation Programme/Reproductive and Child Health), discussed the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) 14, its operational guidelines, the sequence for administering vaccinations, vaccine storage procedures, the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) vaccine, and logistic management.

Subsequently, he advised all staff members to persuade and educate people about the value of vaccination, emphasising the importance of addressing any concerns regarding potential side effects. He underscored the importance of educating and addressing the concerns of those who are apprehensive or sceptical about vaccination.

Dr. Sheila Longkumar, senior medical officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO), spoke on the occasion about the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, rubella, AFP (acute flaccid paralysis), diphtheria, neonatal tetanus, and pertussis. She discussed their definitions, clinical courses, complications, management, reporting procedures, and vaccination status.

Sheila also discussed the significance of the RI microplan and the planning requirements necessary to reinforce RI.

The course also covered the national immunisation schedule, cold chain management, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), and communication strategies.