Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 programme launched; importance underscored
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 07 2022: The launching and media sensitization of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 programme was held today at the conference hall of the Directorate of Family Welfare Services Manipur.

The programme was jointly organised by the Directorate of Family Welfare Services, Manipur and State Health Society, National Health Mission (NHM), Manipur.

The State Mission Director of NHM, Dr N Shyamjai Singh launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 ( Three round of Special Vaccination Programme 2022) and children were also inoculated on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Dr N Shyamjai Singh said that the immunization rate for newborn babies and infants have dropped in the State and the country as a whole owing to the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 programme launched

Therefore the intensified immunization programme has been launched and he appealed to all to avail the benefits of the programme and to get the children vaccinated.

Elaborating about the programme, State Immunization Officer, Dr T Manihar Singh said that the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 will be carried out in three rounds, the first round starting from today and the second round will start on April 4 while the third round on May 2 .

The objective of the mission is to enhance the rate of immunization among the infants so as to protect them from vulnerable diseases as well to protect the pregnant women by inoculating them with tetanus vaccine, he added.

He further stated that ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the routine immunization programme for infants have been hampered since all the healthcare workers were engaged in the activities of the pandemic and many infants and pregnant women skipped their routine immunization programme.

Citing the reason for election related activities in the State, he said that the programme has been delayed in the State though the Government of India launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush on February 7 .

The mission will cover immunization for Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Measles, Meningitis and Hepatitis B, he informed.

Stating that the mortality rate is quite high among the infant group who are within the age group of two years, he appealed to all to get the infants vaccinated to protect them from the vulnerable diseases.

The State Immunization Officer also informed that the mission will be carried out in all the districts of the State except Senapati.

Ahead of the Pulse Polio Immunization programme which will be held from March 24 to 26, he appealed to all to ensure that children within the age group 5 are given the polio drops. Additional Director of Family Welfare, Dr N Dihe Mao was also present on the occasion.