Union Health Minister JP Nadda would launch rotavirus vaccine in the Stateon Saturday as part of the Central Government’s routine immunisation programme for protecting children from diarrhoea.
During his visit, the Union Minister would also hold a review meeting at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar.
According to sources, the Government, along with Unicef, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other stakeholders are launching the rotavirus vaccination programme under which an estimated 8.53 lakh children under the age of one year would be administered the vaccine annually.uy
The programme would also be launched in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
The vaccine will be introduced in the State free of cost under the Centre-sponsored Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Sources said the vaccine would be available at all Government health facilities for free and would be administered to children at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age. Sources said the vaccine is available in the private sector at about Rs 3,000 for a full course.
Sources said the rotavirus vaccine will help prevent death of around 1.5 lakh infants, besides putting a stop 4.5 lakh hospitalisation each year in the State.