Nagpur: As a second wave of Covid-19 is receding now, health administration is preparing to use this period to protect the vulnerable population of infection.
Like the Covid-19 vaccine is still not available for children, the routine push of the Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) will be implemented effectively so that newborns get protection against pneumonia and similar bacterial diseases.
The district health administration of all districts in Vidarbha will launch drive of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) from July 12 to reduce death in children because of pneumonia.
In the Nagpur district, the drive will begin in the next 3-4 days, said District Health Officer Dr.
Deepak Selokar.
“We have completed the training of health workers and are ready with this vaccine dose that prevents newborns from pneumonia.
However, the date from which the drive will begin in Nagpur Regency has not been declared,” said Dr.
Slokar.
The district like Akola, Yavatmal and Buldhana will start the drive vaccination on July 12 itself.
The doctor said that this drive would also increase the immunity of children during the Covid-19 pandemic and also during the third wave projected.
Children under 1 year old will be borne.
The state government will supply a dose for this vaccine.
Previously, it was not involved in the government immunization table, but since 2017, the government has provided this vaccine for free.
This vaccine market costs are more than RS5,000 per dose.
Three doses must be given for the first during the sixth birthday, second during the 14th and third week (booster dose) in the 9th month.
The government bears the cost of at least Rs 15,000 for each child during this drive.
Nagpur Civil Surgeon, Dr.
Devendra Paturkar said that immunization sites have been completed and the date will be announced soon.
“PCV acts against bacteria that causes pneumonia.
Because there is no covid vaccine for children and as a precautionary measure of the third wave that is possible, PCV will act as the first defense line,” he said.