Media workshop on the theme of immunization which was organised by State Routine Immunization Cell, National Health Mission, and UNICEF India with support of partners WHO, UNDP, CHAI, JSI and JPHEIGO.

Speaking at the meet, Dr. Prabhuram Choudhary, Minister Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh spoke on the efforts of the State on Routine and COVID Immunization and called for media's support to disseminate information so that we can reach out to all children and parents.

Speaking at the meeting State Immunization Officer, Dr Santosh Shukla said that we need to eliminate Measles and Rubella from India and Madhya Pradesh, which are contagious and deadly diseases. Children affected with Measles and Rubella have thirty percent higher mortality rate. There are various myths on vaccination and it is call on us to eliminate them and encourage parents to get their children immunized.

Dr Himanshu Jayswar, Deputy Director Vector Borne Disease, said that State will shortly be launching Japanese Encephalitis vaccination campaign in two districts to start with, namely Raisen and Vidisha and then later on in Bhopal and Indore, which had more cases of JE in the State. in last five years Madhya Pradesh had 186 cases of JE.

Prasahant Pathrabe, Additional Director General of Press Information Bureau, said that media can play a positive role in spreading positive stories of immunization and creating need for vaccination.

Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh coordinated the meet, and called on role of the media not only to encourage parents to get their children for immunization but also disseminate right information on the vaccination.

Two ANMs Rekha and Meena from Bhopal shared their experience on reaching out to parents and how they were able convince parents of children on Measles Rubella vaccine and how they plan about vaccination. Dr Upendra Dubey, District Immunization Officer also shared his experience.

Representatives of media, WHO, UNDP, Clinton Health Access Initiative, JSI, JPEIGO were present at the meet.