Dimapur, Nov. 5 (EMN): The measles vaccination campaign in Nagaland has achieved about 81% of its target to vaccinate children against measles. The government’s publicity bulletin DIPR informed in updates on Monday that approximately 4,48,504 children in the state had been reached.
The deputy commissioner of Kohima district, Rajesh Soundararajan, stated in a circular that the state had been conducting the measles rubella vaccination campaign since October 3 in all the eleven districts. So far, a total 3,63,670 out of 4,48,504 children have been ‘covered as per reports received till 26th October 2018’ bringing the state’s overall coverage to 81%, the updates informed.
The circular stated that as a custodian of each colony and with a sense of social responsibility for the health and welfare of each community, it is to be understood that the campaign should not be considered as an individual choice but rather a requirement for the complete elimination of the Measles and Rubella viruses from the population.
Also, the importance of the MR vaccination certificate is increasingly becoming a necessity during school admission to good schools since no school wants to risk being the source of an outbreak and wishes for students to lead a healthy and productive life. MR Campaign has been implemented by the Government of India along with the WHO with an objective to completely eradicate Measles and control Rubella diseases by 2020, for which 100% coverage of the target children (9 months up to 15 years) in Kohima district needs to be completed through repeated outreach activities in all the Colonies/Wards.
It also stated that it will be most convenient for the health workers if the Chairman of each Colony can take the initiative to identify and mobilised un-vaccinated children in their respective colonies by engaging Colony Youths and Women Organizations.
The active participation and resourceful contribution by making and arranging session sites in this monumental task will greatly aid the Medical Department in continuing activities to achieve 100% MR Vaccination coverage to ensure the health and well-being of our future generation.
In this regard, a specified day may be intimidated at the earliest for the Medical team to come and conduct another vaccination session in colonies between 7-10 November 2018 and for conducting the Vaccination camp, the following officers listed below may be contacted: Dr. Rupert Peseyie, DIO Kohima - 9402810551; Dr. Bilva Yalie, MO UPHC, Kohima - 9774646352 and Mhaletsonuo Kire - 9774409306.
The circular further stated that following this, a letter of assurance that the colony has completed the Vaccination of the targeted children would be expected.
