State to introduce Rotavirus vaccine by the end of July

Dimapur, June 12 (EMN): Nagaland will introduce Rotavirus vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule by the end of July 2019. With the introduction, Nagaland will be the 12th state in the country to introduce the Rotavirus vaccine in the routine immunisation and the 3rd among the North eastern states.

This was stated by District Programme Officer, UIP-RCH, Dr. Rebecca Y Sema at the District Task Force meeting on introduction of Rotavirus vaccine held at the DC’s conference hall, Dimapur, on June 12.

Presenting an overview of Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), Dr. Rebecca informed that under the programme, India was declared Polio-free in 2014 and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination was achieved in 2016. She stated that Rotavirus was not a new vaccine and is being used in the private sector. She stated that Rotavirus vaccine is being introduced in the routine immunisation schedule to protect the children from severe diarrhoea caused by rota virus. She, however, informed that not all diarrhoea cases are caused by rota virus.

The general measures to prevent diarrhoea cases are good hygiene, frequent hand-washing, safe water and safe food consumption, exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplement to reduce the risk of Rotavirus infection. She added that those measures are not enough to control the spread of the Rotavirus diarrhoea.

She said Rotavirus vaccine is the only specific prevention against rotavirus diarrhoea. The treatment of Rotavirus diarrhoea is similar to other acute diarrhoea such as using ORS and zinc tablet.

She also informs that once the Rotavirus vaccine is introduce in the Dimapur district, five drops of Rotavirus vaccine would be orally given to infants at 6, 10 and 14 weeks along with other vaccines in routine immunisation schedule.

The meeting was chaired by Kikato K Chishi, SDO (C) Dimapur. Other who attended the meeting included Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Antoly Suu, Medical Superintendent of Dimapur District Hospital Dr. Z Kheshito Z Zhimo, MO UPHC Duncan Dr. Imtiakum, EAC Dimapur Avonuo Kire, ADEO Dimapur Lolensangla Pongen, representatives from the DPRO Dimapur, UNDP Dimapur, president of Muslim Council Dimapur and staff under CMO Dimapur.