Training complete, headcount survey already started
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, July 11: J&K is preparing for the upcoming launch of the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 5.0 program, aimed at strengthening vaccination coverage in the region. This immunization campaign will be supported by the U-Win platform, which ensures effective tracking of beneficiaries which includes children aged 0-5 and pregnant women.
Officials informed that comprehensive training has been conducted on the usage of the U-Win platform, which is part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), at the divisional, district and block levels in both Kashmir and Jammu.
They stated that the program will be implemented in three phases, with Phase 1 scheduled from August 7 to 12, followed by Phase 2 from September 11 to 16, and Phase 3 from October 9 to 14.
The State Immunization Officer for J&K confirmed to Excelsior the successful pilot run of the U-Win portal in Pulwama and Samba started in January, leading to its adoption for the IMI 5.0 vaccination campaign.
The officer explained that registering children aged 0-5 and pregnant women on the U-Win portal will enable the tracking of beneficiaries to ensure no one is missed or left out.
Officials said that the primary objective of IMI 5.0 is to enhance immunization coverage for all vaccines specified in the National Immunization Schedule, including the Measles & Rubella Vaccine for children up to 5 years of age, to eliminate Measles and Rubella by 2023.
It was further informed that the program targets children aged 0-2 years (0-23 months) who may have missed age-appropriate vaccinations or dropped out of the schedule.
It also includes all children between 2-5 years who have not received the required Measles-Rubella (MR) 1 and MR 2 vaccinations, as well as booster doses for DPT and OPV. Additionally, the program aims to vaccinate pregnant women who have not been vaccinated or have only received partial vaccinations.
Also, geographical prioritization will be crucial in the program’s implementation. High-risk districts, blocks, and areas identified by the state will be prioritized. This includes areas with a significant number of unvaccinated children or those who have been left out or dropped out of the immunization process.
Special attention will also be given to areas at high risk for Measles, regions with low coverage of newly introduced vaccines under the UIP, and areas with a large number of missed vaccination sessions.
Efforts will focus on areas with vacant sub-centres and those that have experienced recent outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and pertussis in 2022-23. Addressing vaccine hesitancy will also be a key aspect of the program.
While the U-Win portal will eventually replace the Mother and Child Protection Card (MCPC), officials clarified that for the time being, both systems will be used concurrently. Beneficiaries will receive a certificate through the U-Win portal.
Officials said that the ground-level staff, along with Ashas (Accredited Social Health Activists) and Anganwadi workers, play a vital role in reaching out to beneficiaries and facilitating their registration on the U-Win portal. They further informed that preparations are currently underway in the districts, with a headcount survey initiated to register beneficiaries.
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