Bhubaneswar: The state government on Wednesday launched the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) under the Universal Immunization Program.
This will help reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality because of pneumonia and meningitis among children in the state.
Minister of Health Nlaba Kisore Das has launched this PCV on state-level function through virtual mode.
After the introduction of PCVs in routine immunization, he said, it would benefit nearly eight young people lakh every year in Odisha.
“Immunization is one of the main interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of infants,” he added.
On the first day, the baby was given the first dose of this vaccine in different camps throughout the state.
This vaccine is safe for babies, the health and family welfare department said.
Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, Secretary of the Additional Chief (Health), said Odisha has reached more than 85% of full immunization coverage because of the efforts of sincere health care personnel even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the addition of PCV, the state will provide a vaccine for 12 vaccines that can be prevented every year, he added.
A baby will take three PCV doses to get full protection from pneumonia which is one of the leading causes of death among children below 5.
The first dose will be given to the baby at the age of six weeks, while the second dose and booster will be given to the baby 14 weeks and at the age of nine months each.
This vaccine, which is provided free of charge, will be given to babies with other vaccines under the Universal Immunization Program.
Pneumonia pneumococcus accounts for 18% of all cases of severe pneumonia and 33% of all pneumonia deaths in India.
This vaccine will prevent death due to pneumonia and meningitis caused by bacteria that contribute almost 16% of all children’s deaths under five years.
It will also cause a reduction in the use of antibiotics for treatment so as to reduce the risk of bacteria to be resistant to antibiotics, the health department statement said.