Diphtheria vaccination to get boost in Ernakulam

KOCHI: The special programme named ‘Mission Immunise Ernakulam’ of the health department will focus on  vaccinating  the non and partially immunised children in the wake of the occurrence of  the high number of diphtheria cases. As many as 44 suspected and eight confirmed diphtheria cases have been reported from the district so far. An Assam native who was on a visit to the city had  died of diphtheria in April. As per the health department statistics, 88.8 per cent people in the district are fully vaccinated while 11.2 per cent  are either non- immunised or partially vaccinated.

A meeting of the district-level core committee of the ‘Mission Immunise Ernakulam’ held on Friday  decided to focus on completing the vaccination.  Health workers will visit the houses of children to create awareness on the importance of vaccination. Many people still have misconceptions and apprehensions over the immunisation vaccination. The health department authorities will take measures to compile the vaccination data from private hospitals also.

It has been decided to step up disease prevention and control measures with the support of private hospitals, Indian Medical Association and Indian Academy of Paediatrics. The meeting chaired by health department (family welfare) additional director Dr. Usha Kumari was attended by district medical officer Dr. N.K. Kuttappan, National Health Mission consultant Dr. P.N.N. Pisharody and other officials.