Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan today launched the Liquid Pentavalent Vaccine (LPV) in the State – a multipurpose vaccine that protects the children from five fatal diseases.
The new vaccine would replace the DPT, immunizing the children against five diseases of Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis-B and Haemophlious Influenza-B (Hib), as against the previous vaccine that provided protection against only three diseases.
Speaking after formally launching the LPV vaccination programme at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, this morning, Shabir Khan said that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved the distinction of being among the six States of the country having this revolutionary immunization programme for children. He said the new vaccine would revolutionize the child-care in the State.
The Minister said the decision regarding introduction of Pentavalent Vaccine was taken at the 8th meeting of Mission Steering Group of NRHM in which the Government of India decided to introduce the Liquid Pentavalent Vaccine in six more States, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister said that to combat the Infant Mortality Rate, the Centre Government introduced this vaccine which will be provided at every Government hospital free of cost.
The Minister stressed for launching massive campaign to aware the people of the State about the new immunization programme, especially residing in far-flung, remote and hilly areas.
Earlier, the Minister was informed through a Power Point Presentation that the State Government has received 2.83 lakh doses for the first quarter of the year which will be administrated among 2,23,741 infants across the State. He was also apprised that the vaccine has been launched at every district of the State today.
On the occasion, Director Health Service Jammu Dr. Madhu Khullar, Director Family Welfare Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Kuldeep Kesar, Drug Controller Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Satish Gupta, Medical Superintendent GH, Gandhi Nagar, Dr. Ramesh Gupta, Deputy Directors Health Services, Chief Medical Officers, specialists of various faculties large number of doctors and para-medicos were present.
The Liquid Pentavalent Vaccine (LPV) was also launched in a workshop at JLNM hospital by Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman.
The workshop was jointly organized by Directorate of health Services Kashmir and Directorate of Family Welfare and Immunization J&K.
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