Special immunisation drive in low-coverage areas

In a bid to improve immunisation in low-coverage areas and in endorsement of 2012 as the Year of intensification of routine immunisation, the State Government is set to hold immunisation weeks from August to November.

Raygada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Ganjam and Boudh districts would be covered under the immunisation week activities. These districts are among the 200 districts in seven states that have been identified as grossly low performing in terms of immunisation coverage.

India has the highest number of children, at around 7.4 million, who have not received DPT 3 vaccines. While the National average of DPT 3 coverage is around 71.5 per cent, it is far less in Odisha, according to estimates.

The immunisation weeks would be held from August 13-18, September 10-15, October 15-20 and November 12-17 in around 130 identified high risk blocks and also in the low-coverage pockets in better performing blocks.

The activities would be held from Monday to Saturday except Wednesday to cover the left out and dropout children in addition to the routine sessions.

The target population is children under two years and pregnant women who have not received all due vaccines as prescribed under the National Immunisation Schedule.

While the Centre has issued guidelines to ensure coverage of more than 15 per cent of the un-immunised children and pregnant women in the high focus areas, the Women and Child Development (WCD) department is set to press Anganwadi Workers (AWW) in full strength to carry out the coverage work.

 In a letter to Collectors, WCD Department Secretary Arti Ahuja stated that AWWs would be key to success of the activities.

The AWWs should make house calls and prepare the list of the target beneficiaries while disseminating information on the place and timings of the immunisation sessions during the specified weeks.

They will also ensure site readiness for the programme activity and will assist in filling up of the Mother and Child Protection Card (MCPC).

They will also monitor immunised children and women and report any adverse case following immunisation. They will also enlist the left out and dropout beneficiaries for the next sessions, Ahuja specified.