IMPHAL Oct 22: As a precautionary measure and as a move to control any possible outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in the wake of the report of the disease stalking the state, a mass vaccination programme will be launched by the state family welfare department and the National Rural Health Mission under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, from October 25.
The mass vaccination progrmme will continue till November 2 in five district of the state.
This was announced by the state health and family welfare minister, Ph Parijat, during a press conference held today.
According to the minister, the mass vaccination progarmme was a part of the nation wide campaign to control and prevent Japanese Encephalitis. As the first phase of the mass vaccination programme for the current year, Ministry of Health and Family selected 109 districts in the country of which five district of the state which included Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Chandel will be part of the vaccination programme.
The vaccination programme will give more emphasis on children from age group of 1 to 15 years and all the preparation for the programme has been made, the minister added. A total number of 5, 72,196 beneficiaries will be availed with the vaccination at 2053 vaccination site.
A total number of 217 medical officers will be entrusted in the task with the assistance of 574 ANMs, 2713 ASHA volunteers, 3646 Aganwadi workers, 1815 teachers, 93 supervisors, 344 staff Nurse and 40 LHVs.
Of the total 2053 vaccination site 1815 are school and every vaccination site will be assisted with 2 ANMs, one ASHA volunteer, one Aganwadi Worker, 1 teacher while one supervisor will be supervising five vaccination site.
While pointing out past achievements of similar programme, Parijat further said in 2009, the vaccination was successfully conducted at 30 districts, 19 districts in the 2006 the worse hit year, 27 districts in 2007 and 22 districts in 2008. Even though Japanese Encephalitis was detected some years year back, the mass vaccination programme started in the year 2005.
The minister lamented that though the disease could be infected to all age group the main emphasis is given to children as they are more vulnerable and often mortality rate is high among the age groups.
Out of the 116 Acute Syndrome reported during June this year in the state, 45 case were confirmed to be carrying the disease while 15 fatal cases were reported.
Taking serious note of the situation of the disease, concerned ministry undertook the programme to control and prevent the spread of the disease under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), added the minister.
The minister further appealed the public not to miss the mass vaccination programme that plays a vital role in preventing and controlling the disease besides the SA-14/2 vaccine are not easily available in the market. Children who could not get vaccination during the programme, they can avail the facility at the nearest PHCs and health centres.
Meanwhile, responding to queries for non inclusion of Malaria prone zone district especially Tamenglong in the vaccination programme, the minister revealed that the disease is rare in high altitude area.
Further responding to queries of measure to tackle the aftermath of the recent flood, the minister said that the government has released an order to dispatch CMO in each district affected by flood to take the stock of any possible outbreak of disease besides the government is keeping mind the health hazard of the flood affected people.
Additional director family welfare, Dr W Gulapati Singh, CMO Malaria, Dr. Ibochouba and joint director family welfare, Dr. Y Ibechoubi Devi were attended at the conference.