J’khand joins league of States against Measles-Rubella

Performing better than the national average on the front of infant mortality rate (IMR), Jharkhand made its entry into the league of States having rolled out vaccination shield against Measles-Rubella virus, an important component of the Centre's 'Mission Indradhanush'. Fifteen other States have already introduced the vaccine.

The complete immunisation programme against the double-virus would be conducted in five phases in the State covering children between nine months and 15 years of age. During the drive, it is estimated that 1.17 crore children of the age group would be given the MR vaccine costing nearly Rs 13.61 crore.

"The Government would be running the entire MR vaccination drive in five phases across the State. The first two phases would be covering all schools-Government or otherwise - while in the next two phases would be for community health centres, primary health centres and anganwadis. The last round would be mop-up round for leftover children. After that, the vaccination would be conducted as a regular programme like we are conducting other vaccination programmes in the State," said Principal Secretary of the Health Department Nidhi Khare, kick-starting the drive on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravansi.

The programme would be 11th vaccination programme for the State which is aimed to safeguard the fetus from being born with the diseases and other related ailments like hole in heart, physical disabilities etc. The vaccine would provide protection to the children if vaccinated till 15 years of age. As many as 11 different Departments would be working in coordination to make the drive successful.

The Chief Minister, lauding the achievement of the State for recording IMR figure to 29 against the national average 34, expressed hope that Jharkhand under the goal to provide 100 per cent coverage under universal immunisation programme 'Mission Indradhanush' by December 2018, would match it ably.

"We have done well in controlling IMR but need to perform better on MMR. When the State was formed in 2000, vaccination coverage was merely 8.8 per cent which has gone up to 90 per cent now. We would perform to meet the goal set by the Prime Minister through the 'Mission Indradhanush'. It is the responsibility of all of us to make to the drive successful," said the CM.

He also witnessed three children from Ranchi getting vaccinated on the occasion in the presence of cricketer Saurabh Tiwari who has been made brand ambassador for the MR vaccination drive. The Minister added that total 1.29 crore MR vaccinations would take place involving 418 doctors, 92048 teachers besides sahiyas and ANMs.