By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: According to a study conducted in Ri-Bhoi district, it is learnt that the routine measles vaccination coverage has reached only 67% in the State which still makes Meghalaya the poorest state to score in terms of Measles immunization among the North Eastern States.
“This is due to the lack of awareness on the importance of immunization”, State nodal Officer, Measles catch-up campaign, Meghalaya Dr MR Basaiawmoit informed reporters here on Monday.
Mizoram is the only state that has achieved near total immunity, so in order to reach the targeted percentage of total immunity, the second dose of measles vaccine in the Routine Immunization (RI) programme will be carried out in 14 states with measles vaccine coverage below 80%, including Meghalaya as per the Govt. of India directive.
And in tune to this need, a sensitization workshop on Measles Catch-up Campaign was held at the Conference Hall of Heath Centre here on Monday.
The campaign will be launched on October 10 in the three district of the State namely East Khasi hills, West Khasi hills and Jaintia hills and would continue till October 31 this year.
Giving an overview, Dr MR Basaiawmoit informed the media that nearly, six lakhs sixty six thousand children are targeted to be covered in three districts of the State with East Khasi hills targeting one lakh seventy thousand. The Phase-2 campaign will cover children across the entire state. The campaign will be taken to schools and fixed posts that would be set up for vaccination in various areas including remote areas in the state. “This is a one-time opportunity to achieve full immunity from Measles and people should take full advantage of the programme,” Dr Basaiawmoit added.
Meanwhile, Surveillance Medical Officer, National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) under the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr N Roy said Measles vaccine is provided free of cost but what is important is to motivate the mothers and children to get the vaccination. The Measles Catch-up Campaign proposes to immunize nearly 100 per cent of children in the target age group of 9 months to below ten years.
