Amidst anticipation of COVID third wave, Cachar DC urges parents of infants under 1 year to get doses of Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Silchar, July 1: Amidst the apprehensions of third wave of COVID-19, the programme to administer Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was launched in Cachar district along with the rest of the state on Wednesday.
Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli ceremonially launched the vaccination drive at the conference hall in SM Dev Civil Hospital alongside Additional Deputy Commissioner J.K. Rajbongshi, Joint Director of Health Services, Dr B.J Deb Sikidar, District Immunization Officer ,Dr. Sumona Naiding and District Media Expert (NHM) Suman Choudhury.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said that the vaccine will be administered to the children free of cost at all government health centers in the district, I appeal to the people of the district to take this opportunity to vaccinate their children who are aged under 1year. There is no adverse affect of the vaccine, doses of which would be given in the duration of 6 weeks, 14 weeks and 9 months. "In view of the anticipation that children may be affected in the third wave, it becomes very much essential that we keep our children protected. This vaccine will definitely help to save children from pneumonia," the Deputy Commissioner said.
A release issued to the media from the DDIPR Barak Valley region stated that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)is being introduced in the universal immunization programme to protect children against pneumococcal disease. Additional Chief Medical Officer Dr PK Roy said that children below the age of 5 years often suffer from shortness of breath and realising the gravity of the situation the State Government has taken up this programme to save the children so they do not become victims of COVID.
Noted pediatrician Dr SK Roy opined that in the current corona pandemic situation, there is no corona vaccine for children, so such a PCV vaccine would help prevent corona disease in children. Dr Binayak Mishra, representative from the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the first dose of the vaccine should be spaced two months apart and the first dose should be given within a maximum age of one year.
