Delhi govt focuses on immunization for all during lockdown

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has issued instructions to all district immunization officers to update the list of children eligible for vaccination who could not be vaccinated due to the coronavirus lockdown. Amid the lockdown also the birth dose of vaccines (OPV, Hepatitis) and BCG were being given to newborns at all the delivery points even during the lockdown. The purpose is to ensure 100% coverage of the children for all vaccines.
"The government has decided to prioritize the immunization of the children to protect them from deadly diseases such as polio, tetanus, and diphtheria. This is also critical to keeping other children safe by eliminating or substantially reducing the spread of dangerous diseases from child to child. Immunization is one of the safest, most cost-effective, and powerful means of preventing morbidity and mortality among children. Over the years, countries across the world have enlarged the ambit of vaccination as a public health intervention to improve child survival and quality of life," a statement issued by the government stated.
Even though the immunization services continued at the fixed facilities during the lockdown, active mobilization could not be done because of the involvement of ASHA workers and ANMs on Covid-19 works. "Families who were seeking immunization services voluntarily for their children were provided with the services following all due protocols and advisories (like social distancing, hygiene, etc)," an official said.
The government has urged all parents to proactively contact their ASHA workers, ANMs or reach their designated primary health facilities for ensuring full immunization of their children. Delhi has 640 immunization facilities belonging to different agencies including Delhi government.