HYDERABAD: Over 0.9 million children aged up to 15 years would be vaccinated against Measles and Rubella virus in Hyderabad district during a 13 days campaign to be started from Monday (November 15).
According to health officials, as many as 941198 children under 15 years of age, which consists 39 percent of the total population (2.413 million) of the district, would be vaccinated against Measles/ Rubella virus at different EPI centres and the schools during a 13-day vaccination campaign.
In addition to the vaccination against Rubella and Measles, 416266 children under 5 year old would also be given anti-polio drops, health officials said.
“Rubella is a dangerous virus which has claimed the lives of over 0.14 million children all over the world, DHO Dr Lala Jaffar said while talking to reporter on Saturday.
Dr Lala Jaffar said that though there were a meagre number of Rubella cases in the province, we should take preventive measures to stop this virus from spreading in our society.
According to DHO, so far 6 deaths due to Rubella/ Measles are reported in the district during the last four months.
He said a total 763 teams including 654 outreach, 105 fixed point and four special teams had been formed in the district by the health authorities to accomplish the task of vaccinating children. As many as 151 doctors, 763 vaccinators and 1417 social mobilizers would also perform the vaccination duties.
The District Health Officer further said that paediatricians, health centres and ambulance services would remain alert to face any situation during the vaccination campaign.
He appealed to the parents to get their under 15 year old children vaccinated against Rubella and Measles so that the virus could be contained to affect our new generation.
He also urged the media persons to play a role in creating awareness among the general public about the Rubella and Measles virus.
In reply to a question, DHO said during the campaign all children including those already vaccinated would be once again vaccinated so that virus could be wiped out from our country.