Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine rolled out across Gujarat under universal vaccination programme

Gandhinagar: The universal immunization program of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)- to protect children from Pneumonia and Meningitis begins today on 20th October in the state.

PCV will be administered to the children under the age of 1 year at free cost in 3 doses. The first dose will be given after 6 weeks from the birth. The second dose will be given after 14 weeks and the booster dose will be given after 9 months.

PCV vaccination under universal programme (for free vaccination) started at the hands of CM Bhupendra Patel from Chhota Udepur district today. Health minister Rushikesh Patel will start it from the urban health centre in sector-2 of Gandhinagar city at 2 PM.

It will also begin at various public health facilities across the districts and corporations of the state and PCV will be administered to eligible children. PCV will also be administered at all government hospitals and clinics, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) Urban Health Centres, Mamta Divas centres at free cost to children under 1-year of age.

In India, the numbers of deaths of children under 5 years due to Pneumococcal Pneumonia was 1,05,000 in 2010 and 53,000 in 2015.

– The vaccine will be offered to upto 1.5 year old children for free.

– The vaccine is available in private at a cost of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4500.

– The government is going to offer 36 lakh free doses to 12 lakh children n one year.

– First dose will be administered at 6th week after birth of a child. The second dose will be given at 14th week, while third dose will be given as booster dose after 9 months.

– The disease is related to breathing.

DeshGujarat