SHILLONG/JOWAI/TURA/NONGSTOIN: The Measles Rubella Vaccination (MRV) campaign was launched across the state on Monday.
In East Khasi Hills, as many as 24 schools were covered on the first day of the MRV campaign, informed Dr. J.B Rani at a press conference in Shillong on Monday.
She also stated that the campaign cannot start simultaneously in other districts, especially in rural areas, as there is shortage of trained vaccinators.
She informed the gathering that around four lakh children will be covered in East Khasi Hills and that the campaign will officially start in other areas on October 1.
“To prepare for the campaign we have had group meetings including the education and ICDS departments, teacher – parent meetings including training of the principal and nodal teachers and also school going children to create awareness and to garner support,” she said.
“The department has also conducted meetings with the religious leaders and headmen to seek their intervention in this regard,” she added.
In West Jaintia Hills, Puramon Kynjing, Daloi of Elaka, inaugurated the campaign at North Liberty Higher Secondary School in Jowai in the presence of West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner LSN Dykes Garod, Superintendent of Police Lakador Syiem, District Medical Health Officer SS Nongbri, VJ Laloo, District Immunisation Officer, Sharad Babu, RRT WHO, Brand Ambassador Konel Phira and officials from various departments.
Deputy Commissioner LNS Dykes Garod requested parents and students in particular not to panic and not to spread false rumors regarding the vaccination.
In her keynote address, VJ Laloo, District Immunisation Officer, said the Central government started the MRV campaign to eliminate Measles and to control Rubella by 2020. She also informed that Meghalaya will be the 25th state to begin the campaign with West Jaintia Hills being the first to officially launch the campaign.
She also stated that 1.26 lakh children between the ages of 9 months to 15 years will be immunised during the campaign.
The District Medical Health Office has also selected two brand ambassadors from North Liberty School – Marso Kyndait and Dabit Dkhar to reassure fellow students on the importance and safety of the vaccination.
Marso Kyndait has won a gold medal in the 1500 meter event at the National Level Athletic Meet East Zone 2018 while Dabit Dkhar won a bronze medal in the 2000 meter race at the same competition.
Campaign launched in WKH
The MRV campaign was launched in West Khasi Hills by Deputy Commissioner KL Nongbri during a programme organised by the office of the DM&HO on Monday.
Addressing the gathering Nongbri said: “Mental and behavior change is the need of an hour.”
He also called upon the public to join hands with the District Administration in its effort to eradicate the diseases.
WGH police sensitised
Meanwhile, a sensitisation programme on MRV campaign was held for police officials of West Garo Hills in Tura on Monday.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, WGH District Medical and Health Officer MR Sangma and officials from the Medical Department were present during the programme.
The MRV Campaign was also launched in East Jaintia Hills at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School with Deputy Commissioner F.M Dopth as the chief guest and L. Rymbai, MDC of Tuber, as the guest of honour. The launch programme was attended by school students, teachers and parents.