State to introduce Rotavirus vaccine in early June
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03 2019: Directorate of Family Welfare and State Health Society jointly inaugurated a two day training programme for trainers on introduction of Rotavirus vaccine at Nirmala Hotel, Imphal.

Rotavirus is a highly contagious disease and is spread when the child comes in contact with infected water, food or hands, known as faecal-oral route.

Infections mostly occurred in very young children, who are also at an increased risk of dehydration.

Rotavirus can cause diarrhoea (watery poop), which can lead to dehydration.

There is no drug currently available to treat Rotavirus infection.

It is generally treated with ORS and Zinc for 14 days.

In India, the virus is reason for death of about 78 thousand each year and about 8.72 lakh hospitalised each year.

Rotavirus vaccine, which will be available free of cost in all Government health facilities under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), is given orally (5 drops) to children aged between 6 weeks and 1 year in the form of 3 doses at 6,10 and 14 weeks.

It will be introduced and launched in Manipur in early June.

The inaugural training programme was attended by Director Health Services Dr K Rajo, Director State Health Mission Dr S Manikanta and State Nodal Officer (Immunization) Dr Th Nandakishore as presidium members.

Speaking at the event, Dr Rajo said that the Rotavirus will be available at all District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, and sub centres.

The State has about 126 vaccine storage centres.

All efforts will be taken up to reach far flung areas of the State, he said.

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