Immunization is a right of each and every child,” said Michael Juma, Chief UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh, at the inaugural of training of assessors of alternative vaccine delivery system assessment being held at Bhopal from May 17 to 18, 2018.
He further said that the key findings of the Alternative Vaccine Delivery System (AVDS) assessment will enable the state to enhance the quality and coverage of routine immunization, foster and streamline vaccine delivery through AVDS and provide insights and inputs to enhance effective micro-planning in the state.
S Viswanathan Mission Director National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh said that we need to make sure that vaccine reaches each and every child and need to strengthen its delivery and make sure that we reach vulnerable areas.
Dr Santosh Shukla State Immunization Officer said that this is first time that assessment is being done of AVDS and as State we have 2200 AVDS who support delivery of the vaccines. Dr Vandana Bhatia, UNICEF Health Specialist said that AVDS assessor training will help in providing key recommendations on how to strengthen AVDS in MP and it will help State in ensuring availability of life saving vaccines and maintaining the cold chain.
Vipin Srivastava, State Cold Chain Officer introduced the participants and Dr OP Tiwari, Deputy Director proposed a vote of thanks. The training has participation of around 90 assessors from across the State. Representatives of UNICEF, UNDP and WHO remained present at the training being organized by the State Routine Immunisation cell of Health Department in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP and WHO.