Govt launches five-in-one vaccine for children

Hoping to improve immunisation cover for children in the national capital,the Delhi government on Tuesday launched a five-in-one vaccine in all government hospitals and primary health centres (PHC). Officials said just one injection of the five-in-one,or pentavalent vaccine,will immunise children against Diphtheria,Pertussis,Tetanus,Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B associated with pneumonia and meningitis.

Launching the health initiative at the Maulana Azad Medical College,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the measure would ensure a disease-free childhood. “We have,in fact,provided insurance in a real sense to children against several life-threatening diseases for free. The injection will be given from today in at least 650 PHCs and all 32 major Delhi government hospitals,” Dikshit said.

Dikshit,who also holds the Finance portfolio,had announced the pentavalent vaccine while presenting the 2012-2013 budget.

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Parents can take their children to any PHCs for the vaccination on Wednesday and Friday,and on all working days to any Delhi government hospital. Health Minister Dr A K Walia said the government was serious about bringing down the mortality rate. “The rate was 46 per 1,000 live births in 2005-2006,and down to just 28 in 2012. Further,only 58 per cent of infants were getting their full immunisation in 1998-1999. That figure is 89 per cent in 2011-12,” Walia said.

He said the five-in-one vaccine is safe and effective,and used in most developed countries.