Thiruvananthapuram: As part of making vaccination compulsory in the schools, the state government is planning a state-wide survey on vaccinations.
Education minister C. Raveendranath told reporters here on Wednesday that the survey would be held with the help of the local bodies and the health department. The number of children getting vaccinated in Malappuram district has been dipping every year due to opposition from some social groups. According to the latest figures, only 93 per cent of students are getting vaccination each year. As per the standard health protocol followed in the state, children should be given immunisation against eight possible diseases before the age of seven. The vaccines included in the protocol are BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin), DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus Toxoid),OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine), Measles, Hepatitis B, TT (Tetanus Toxoid), JE vaccination (in selected high disease burden districts) and Hib containing Pentavalent vaccine.
Incidentally, the state will become the first in the country to roll out pentavalent vaccine as part of the Universal Immunisation Programme in December 2011. There was much opposition to the introduction of pentavalent vaccine with many questioning the piloting of the vaccine in the state without sufficient Hib incidence or surveillance data.
