Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25 2010:
A mass campaign for vaccination of children between the age group of 1 to 15 against the deadly Japanese Encephalitis (JE) was launched from today in the five districts of Manipur.
The campaign, which would go on for eight days, is being organised under the joint aegis of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Manipur and National Rural Health Mission and is being sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
In all 2053 vaccination booths are to be set up in different parts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Chandel, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts where properly trained medical officers, ANMs, Anganwadi Workers, ASHAs, Supervisors and staff nurses would carry out the vaccination.
Although Japanese Encephalitis can infect young and old people alike, special emphasis has been given on vaccination of the children between the age group of 1 to 15 as they are more susceptible to the infection.
As there is no vaccine to cure Japanese Encephalitis infection as of now, prevention through vaccination and precautionary measures from mosquito bite remain the best option.
During the vaccination campaign, each of the child would be given a dosage of the medicine which can ensure them lifelong protection from Japanese Encephalitis.
It may be recalled here that out of many cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome reported in Manipur during June-August this year, 34 people died from confirmed cases of Japanese Encephalitis.
Our Moreh correspondent adds: On the first day of the campaign today, around 130 children including children from neighbouring Myanmar were vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis at PHC Moreh.
Dr Salam Piyokumar who inaugurated campaign informed that similar vaccination drive is to be conducted at six other PHSCs namely Kwatha PHSC, Yangoulen PHSC, T Bungmol PHSC, Khengjoy PHSC, New Samtal PHSC and Lokchao PHSC.
However, as there is problem of accessibility with regard to Khengjoy, New Samtal, Yangoulen and T Bungmol, the chiefs would be called for discussion in this regard very soon.