TURA: The South West Garo Hills district administration has targeted to vaccinate 55,803 beneficiaries in the age group of 1 to 15 years in 459 villages across the district free of cost during the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccination campaign 2020, which was officially launched by the Deputy Commissioner, AM Sangma, at Boldamgre village under Kalaichar PHC on Monday.
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccination campaign, which will be held from October 5 to October 31, is being launched simultaneously in all the three blocks of the district.
Addressing the community leaders, parents and beneficiaries on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said that Japanese Encephalitis vaccination campaign was started by the Union Health Ministry under National Health Mission to free the nation and states from Japanese Encephalitis as there is no cure for this disease and vaccination is the only way to prevent it.
He urged upon every child beneficiary, parents and community to extend their support and cooperation to make the campaign a success in the district.
Speaking about the need for behavioural change among the community in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deputy commissioner urged upon the gathering to compulsorily wear masks in crowd, maintain physical distancing and follow hand hygiene and cough etiquettes.
Earlier, the DMHO of Ampati, Dr KA Sangma, in her brief introductory note, informed that the vaccination campaign was intended to be launched in March but had to be kept on hold due to the pandemic.
She also informed that there is no treatment for Japanese Encephalitis and is only preventable through vaccination while urging all parents to vaccinate their children during the campaign period.