NEW DELHI: The Government today announced the expansion of rotavirus vaccine in five additional states under its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
The announcement came after 38 lakh children were vaccinated in four states – Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha when the vaccine was first introduced.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda while announcing the expansion said that it is the endeavour of the Government to protect every child from vaccine preventable diseases.
“This is a new milestone towards expanding the coverage of full immunization in the country aimed at reducing child mortality,” Nadda said at a function in Agartala.
He said diarrhoea is one of the biggest killers in children and rotavirus is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhoea in children less than 2 years of age.
Now, the vaccine will be expanded to Assam, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
The vaccine will prevent Rotavirus diarrhoea in children which accounts for approximately 40 per cent of hospitalizations from diarrhoea in India.
Rotavirus diarrhoea is responsible for nearly 78,000 deaths, 32 lakh out-patient visits and nearly 9 lakh hospitalizations every year. (AGENCIES)
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