The launching programme of Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was held at Primary Health Centre, Kohima Village on 11th June.

Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Dr.Neikhrielie Khimiao informed that the new vaccine has been added to the universal (UIP) of Government of India which will protect children from Pneumonia and Meningitis cause by Bacterium call Pneumococcus. He informed that PCV is safe vaccine as any other vaccine and will be available in all the District Hospitals, UHCs, and PHCs. The vaccine is provided free of cost under the routine immunization across the Country.

State Immunization Officer, Dr.Ritu Thur said that Pneumococcal is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia which is one of the major cause of death in children under five years of age. He advised the gathering to immunize their children with the scheduled three doses of PCV at 1.5 month, 3.5 months and 9 months of age. He added that multiple vaccines have been proven safe and the injection given at the same time are absolutely safe and effective for children.

                                                                                                (Temjenkaba, IA)