Under the universal immunisation, the state government on Tuesday launched the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV). The vaccination will be administered to around 9.23 lakh children below five years.
Under the universal immunisation, the state government on Tuesday launched the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV). The vaccination will be administered to around 9.23 lakh children below five years.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated the programme at a health centre in Poonamallee, today. Pneumonia is mostly caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. PCV helps to reduce deaths due to pneumonia and meningitis, one of the major causes for death in children below five, according to the state health department.
Every child will take three doses of PCV -- 6th week, 14th week and 9th month, for protection from pneumonia. The PCV will now join the existing vaccines doses including oral polio vaccine (OPV), rotavirus vaccine (oral drops), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and penta vaccine (intramuscular injection) and will be provided free to children along with other vaccines under the UIP.
The incidence of pneumonia has gradually reduced by 85% thus eventually reducing the infant mortality rate.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated the programme at a health centre in Poonamallee, today. Pneumonia is mostly caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. PCV helps to reduce deaths due to pneumonia and meningitis, one of the major causes for death in children below five, according to the state health department.
Every child will take three doses of PCV -- 6th week, 14th week and 9th month, for protection from pneumonia. The PCV will now join the existing vaccines doses including oral polio vaccine (OPV), rotavirus vaccine (oral drops), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and penta vaccine (intramuscular injection) and will be provided free to children along with other vaccines under the UIP.
The incidence of pneumonia has gradually reduced by 85% thus eventually reducing the infant mortality rate.