Odisha to launch Pneumonia vaccine

Odisha to launch Pneumonia vaccine under universal immunization programme on June 30

As per the information, The Odisha Government will launch Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PIV ) under universal Immunization Programme on 30th June.It also said that it will benefit nearly 8 lakh young children annually in the state and help in reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia and meningitis among the children.

According to the statement given by the Additional Chief Secretary PK Mohapatra in a letter to district and municipal authorities, it said that" The introduction of PCV in the routine immunization will benefit nearly 8 lakh young children annually in the State and it will help in reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia and meningitis among the children in the State." As per the letter, Mohapatra said that " Inviting in reference to the subject cited above, I am to say that Minister, Health and Family Welfare will launch new Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) under universal immunization programme on 30th June 2021 at 11:30 a.m at the state level through virtual mode. After the introduction of the PCV in routine immunization, it will benefit nearly 8 lakh children annually in our State and this will help in reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality due to Pneumonia and meningitis among the children and the State."

On 28 December 2020 the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and inaugurated the first new Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and a bid to prevent about 67,800 child mortality under 5 years of age in India from the pneumococcal disease every year. The vaccine has been developed by the Serum Institute of India(SII) in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.