Immunization coverage in Arunachal dismal: Survey

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Despite efforts put in by the Family Welfare department, the immunization coverage in the State is abysmal with only 78 percent of the children being covered under the universal immunization programme (UIP) against the national average of 87 percent, according to a Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES).

As per the CES conducted in 13 districts of the State last year, Longding and Upper Subansiri districts have less than 40 percent coverage till 2018 as against the districts of Upper Siang and East Siang, State Immunization Officer (National Health Mission) Dr. D Padung informed.

He, however, informed that six out of the 13 districts have FI (full immunization) coverage of more than 70 percent.

While citing that mixed belief system, refusal cases being some of the key reasons for the “poor” immunization coverage with 41 percent of the cases were due to lack of awareness, Dr. Padung urged the media to lend a helping hand to the department for improvement of immunization coverage.

Deputy Director (IEC) O Thamphang informed that the department’s target was to attain more than 90 percent coverage of children by the year 2020.

Dr. Padung informed that while the first round of Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 2 was conducted on December 2, the second, third and fourth rounds will be on January 6, February 3 and March 2 respectively.

Medical Officer (Immunization) Dr. Tage Taka said that the State’s target to vaccinate at least 90 percent of the uncovered children of the State appears ineffective because of lack of awareness and AEFI (adverse effect following immunization) apprehension among the parents.

“Some parents also don’t opt for the vaccination thinking that in spite of no vaccination in their childhood, they were healthy. But just because he was lucky to not get infected with those deadly diseases doesn’t mean his children are safe,” Taka pointed out.

Also Read: Routine Immunization Review Meeting Held At DC’s Conference Hall

Also Watch: AASU Rally Against CAA 2019 in Kokrajhar