New Delhi: Delhi is likely to introduce rotavirus vaccine in its universal immunisation programme from August 7. It is crucial to reduce diarrhoeal deaths in children, officials said.Eleven states across the country have already introduced the vaccine in their routine immunisation programmes. Sources said that the central government has directed all states and union territories to put policy and infrastructure in place to ensure 100% availability of the vaccine nationally by September.
“The vaccine will help in preventing severe diarrhoea and hospitalisation caused due to rotavirus infection. Available data indicates that rotavirus infection is responsible for 40% of moderate to severe diarrhoea in children under five years of age,” a health official said. The schedule for administration of rotavirus vaccine is at 6, 10, 14 weeks and it will be provided free of cost to all children below one year of age with the first dose of pentavalent vaccine, they added.