Free vaccine to prevent pneumonia deaths in children

Aurangabad, July 6:

To reduce the deaths from pneumonia in children, the state government has decided to give a costly vaccine to every newborn baby. Vaccines have also been made available to every government hospital in the state.

The newborn babies have low immunity power. They also contract streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. Dose of 'Pneumococcal vaccine' that is sold at Rs 5,000 in the market and is also used widely by doctors. However, people from financially weaker sections cannot afford the vaccine. Hence the government has decided to give three doses of vaccine to every newborn free of cost. Ample stock of vaccines is provided to all government hospitals in the state. Aurangabad Municipal Corporation has received a stock of 2,000 vaccines. The health department is planning to vaccinate every newborn baby from July 12. The incidence of pneumonia in children is 12 per cent. The central and state governments have launched a wide range of measures to reduce this number to zero, said municipal health officer Dr Nita Padalkar. The vaccine will be given only if the baby is one and a half months old. Efforts will now be made to vaccinate newborns, she said. Generally, if 20,000 children are born in Aurangabad city every year, vaccination will be planned accordingly.

Vaccines to be administered:

First dose – One and a half months

Second dose – Three months

Third dose – Nine months