A media meet on newly-launched Rota Virus Vaccine was held here on Thursday. The meet was organized by the Department of Health in partnership with UNICEF. Representatives of John Snow India, WHO, UNDP and UNICEF were present at the meet. A film developed by ITSU (Immunization Technical Support Unit) was shown at the meet.
Addressing the meet, Dr Kl Sahoo, Director Public Health, Madhya Pradesh government said that introduction of Rota Virus Vaccine is an important step to strengthen immunization programme in the State. CM had launched this vaccine on April 2, 2017 and is now being made available all across the State.
Giving presentation on Rota Virus, Dr Santosh Shukla said that Rota Virus Vaccine is painless, harmless, and safest vaccine which can help reduced 40 per cent diarrheal incidence, morbidity and mortality. He said that we are the fifth state in India to launch this vaccine.
Michael Juma, Chief, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh congratulated the Madhya Pradesh State Government for launch of the Rota Virus vaccine and said that this will go long way in saving lives of children. He added that in Madhya Pradesh 6500 diarrheal deaths are due to Rota Virus and more that 5000 can be prevented with 95 % immunization coverage of this vaccine. He further said that 40% of severe diarrhoea cases require hospitalisation and as such, timely administration of Rota Virus Vaccine has great potential to reduce diarrheal infections.
Dr OP Tiwari Deputy Director Immunization said that phase IV of Mission Indradhanush will be launched on April 7 and will be in 15 districts of the State, namely Barwani, Bhopal, Chhindwara, Dhar, Gwalior, Indore Jabalpur, Khargone, Morena, Panna, Sagar, Shivpuri, Singrauli, Ujjjain and Vidisha.
Dr KK Thassu, Director Hospital Administration, Madhya Pradesh government, Dr BP Subramaniya, Regional Team leader NPSP, WHO, Dr Akasjh Malik Joh Snow International, Dr Pankaj Somani, State Programme Manager UNDP, Dr Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh were present at the meet. Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh coordinated the meet.