September 15, 2018: : Statewide Measles Rubella (MR) mass immunization programme started today. Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman inaugurated the MR vaccination programme at Holy Cross School in Agartala today. Minister’s son Kuber Roy Barman was the first child received MR vaccine in the School today.
State Health and Family Welfare department is implementing the immunization campaign in the State and during month-long campaign, about 9.5 lakh children of age between 9 months to 15 years would be vaccinated.
Inaugurating the MR campaign, Sudip Roybarman appealed to all guardians and parents to come forward and to ensure vaccination of kids and make State free from MR diseases. Dispelling fear and concerns of people, Roy Barman said, the vaccines are safe and secure. He there is no danger associated with it as quality is globally tested. He made it clear that kids who had already taken Measles vaccination also need to receive MR shot. During 1st week, vaccination will be done in schools.
He said that MR vaccine protects children from measles and rubella-two diseases with a high chance of preventable illness and death and when children are not vaccinated fully and on time, the entire community’s health is at risk.
Later, Vaccines will be administered in Anganwadi and Primary Health Care (PHC) centers. Mobile vaccination team will visit brick kilns and vaccinate children. Besides, vaccines will be administered in IGM, GBP Hospital as well as PHCs across the State.
MR immunization drive is the largest ever vaccination campaign worldwide aimed to cover approximately 41 crore children in the age group of 9 months to less than 15 years age. So far, the campaign has been completed in 17 states and union territories of the country and children are currently under-going this in 5 states, said Barman.
During inauguration of programme, Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath, MLA Sushanta Choudhury, secretary of Health department Samarjit Bhowmik, principal of Holy Cross School Boby John along with top officials of Health department were also present.
