Over 43 lakh J&K children to be vaccinated under MRV campaign

Srinagar : More than 43 lakh children, aged between 9 months and 15 years, will be immunised in Jammu and Kashmir under the Measles-Rubella Vaccination (MRV) drive from September 1, an official said here on Monday.

"The campaign will be conducted for six weeks, starting with students of all the government and private schools... covering all the districts," Samir Mattoo, Director Family Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir said.

Deputy Commissioner - Immunization Division - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Pradeep Haldar, said that physically handicapped, mentally challenged children and students of blind schools will be the first target group.

"In the second phase, religious heads and community heads will be involved to make it a successful campaign through outreach sessions. After the completion of the campaign, MRV will be introduced in Routine Immunization and be part of Universal Immunisation Programme in Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

The Health Ministry launched the first phase of MVR campaign in February last year in five states -- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

According to the government figures, more than 3.3 crore children were vaccinated, reaching out to 97 per cent of the intended age group. The campaign was carried out in schools, community centers and health facilities.

The second phase was rolled out in August 2017 in eight states and UTs -- Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana and Uttarakhand -- to cover 3.4 crore children.

For the campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has partnered with WHO and UNICEF to create people's trust in vaccines and address myths around immunization to ensure every child is vaccinated.