Chandigarh Administration to provide free Rotavirus Vaccine with routine Immunization to children from 31st July 2019 at all Health Facilities

Chandigarh Administration to provide free Rotavirus Vaccine with routine Immunization to children from 31^st July 2019 at all Health Facilities

Chandigarh, 25^th July, 2019: A Media Collaboration Meet for the launch of Rotavirus Vaccine under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) was organized by Health Department, UT Chandigarh. The focus of the meet was to interact with media persons and sharing of the important information regarding Rotavirus Diarrhoea. This initiative will help to prevent the children between the age group of 0-5 years from Rotavirus Diarrhea in UT Chandigarh as Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus and Vaccination is the only specific intervention strategy for protection from Rota virus infection.

Health Department, UT Chandigarh is all geared up to introduce Rotavirus vaccine (RVV) in Routine Immunization Schedule from 31^stJuly, 2019 onwards. It will be provided free of cost at all the Health & Wellness Centers/Dispensaries. The same shall be given alongwith the routine vaccine on Immunization days of Wednesday and Saturday. The vaccine is in the form of oral drops and five drops of this vaccine are administered to the child in 6^th, 10^th & 14 weeks after birth under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). It is a safe vaccine and no adverse reaction have been found; however some children may have mild fever after the vaccination.

The Rotavirus vaccine protects 9 out of 10 children from getting severe illness caused by Rotavirus. Rotavirus accounts for 40% of hospitalization due to diarrhea amongst children in India. The clinical features of Rotavirus diarrhea may vary from transient loose stools to severe diarrhea with vomiting. If not treated adequately, it may cause in dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, shock and death. Rotavirus vaccine has been included in National Immunization Programme of 96 countries. It is being expanded throughout the country in a phased manner. The Rotavirus vaccine has been rolled out in 11 states in a phased manner and now it is being expanded to the remaining 25 states and Union Territories including Chandigarh. It is given orally to infants in a three – dose schedule at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. The vaccine will be co-administered with other vaccines as per the immunization schedule. 

Trainings of all the Health care providers posted at various Health Facilities have been conducted by the Team of trainers from the Health Department, WHO and JSI. Dr. G. Dewan, Director Health & Family Welfare, UT Chandigarh cum Mission Director – National Health Mission interacted with the media persons and answered to their queries. He has further requested them to support the Health Department, UT Chandigarh by creating awareness regarding the ways of prevention of diarrhea amongst children and in importance of vaccine in order to prevent mortality, morbidity and disability from diseases that are preventable through the optimum use of vaccines currently available.