Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani on Tuesday directed all the civil surgeons to ensure all safe administration of the pentavalent vaccine to the infants.
The Minister has asked the health officials to check the expiry date and other details of the stock lying with the department to avoid any mishap.
“Punjab Government has launched pentavalent vaccine that is being administered for free to the infants within three months of their birth in all Government hospitals and dispensaries,” he said.
“Under the Universal Immunisation Programme of the Central Government, this vaccine has played a key role in protection against dangerous childhood diseases. The vaccine would substantially reduce infant and under-five child mortality rate in Punjab by protecting them against diptheria, pertusssis, hepatitis B, tetanus and haemophilus influenzae B,” he said.
He termed the vaccine as “one of the most cost-effective public health interventions which has delivered excellent results in providing direct and effective protection against preventable childhood diseases such as measles, hepatitis B, diptheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus and pertussis”.
Jayani has also asked to maintain the cold chain at a specific temperature required for storing the medicines especially the vaccines.
“If it is to be carried from one place to another, it should be carried with iced packs,” he added.
At the same time, he appealed to the people not to buy the vaccine from the medical stores as Punjab gets the direct supply from the Central Government under various healthcare schemes.