Sikkim is all set to roll out Measles Rubelia (MR) vaccination campaign on July 29 next.
As per directives from the Central Government, a meeting of the State Steering Committee Immunization for rollout of Measles Rubelia (MR) vaccination campaign under the chairmanship of chief secretary A K Shrivastava was held at Tashiling secretariat on Wednesday.
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This was stated in an official press release.
State EPI officer Dr P. Denzongpa gave a presentation on the overview and operational framework for Measles Rubelia (MR) vaccination campaign in the State.
The measles disease is an acute viral infection spread via respiratory secretions and she elucidated in detail that this meeting was organized to ensure accountability framework, active engagement from other line departments for optimum monitoring and supervision during Measles Rubelia (MR) vaccination which is scheduled to be launched on July 29 and all school children in the age group of 9 months to 15 years will be administered MR vaccines in the State.
Dr Denzongpa briefed that the MR campaign would have a campaign duration of 30 working days and the target would be on educational institutions, outreach sites (regular RI sites and additional sites in village/urban/wards, mobile teams, facility based session sites).
Chief secretary A K Shrivastava went in detail over the inter-sectoral coordination which is required between all the relevant departments and the stakeholders.
He extended his support towards the campaign and directed all the concerned departments to mobilize resources and coordinate planning and implementation activities with other core departments such as HRD, RMD, Labour department, Sports department, IPR, Social Welfare department (ICDS).
He hoped that the spirit of continuity would be maintained by all and said that a mid-term review to check on its progress and status should be conducted.
Additional chief secretary G P Upadhaya also gave his valuable inputs and assured full cooperation from HRD department towards the campaign. He suggested that creating awareness is key at the moment and thus awareness through news, social media, FM should be catered so that people are aware of the Measles Rubelia (MR) vaccination campaign in the State.
Health commissioner cum secretary Vishal Chauhan thanked all the departments for their continued support including the representatives from Rotary Club, WHO, UNICEF and hoped that this campaign would be a successful one in the coming days which would greatly benefit in measles elimination and Rubelia control by 2020.
Earlier an update on second round of HPV campaign was also given by ADHS-RCH/State EPI Officer Dr P Denzongpa.