Assuaging confusion in the minds of the people on whether to immunise their children with the Measles-Rubella vaccine, the Health Department on Tuesday affirmed that the vaccine was completely safe.
Speaking to reporters, K.V. Raman, Director, Department of Health said that the vaccine was 100% safe and aimed at eliminating both the viruses — rubella and measles — in the country by 2020. The vaccines are produced by the Serum Institute of India in Pune and have been approved for use in children from nine months since 2005.
The vaccine does not have any adverse effects and has been included as part of the immunisation programme across the Union Territory to ensure eradication of the virus and boost herd immunity. The MR campaign from February 6 to 28 targets children between the ages of nine months and 15 years, after which the vaccine will be included in the routine immunisation programme.
Mr. Raman said that there was no need to panic and the Health Department had taken all precautions and sensitised all schools to any reaction. The Puducherry Government had procured a special sub-cutaneous needle to ensure that there was no pain during vaccination.
As many as 21,500 children from 88 schools in Puducherry were administered the vaccine on Tuesday. About 8,442 children in Karaikal, 857 in Yanam and 672 in Mahe regions were covered on the second day of the campaign. School drop-outs will be covered in the healthcare delivery system and special sites in the subsequent weeks, he said.
Nearly 40 cases of H1N1 infection have been reported till date in Puducherry. Five persons infected with H1N1 died due to comorbidity or presence of other diseases, and two persons are currently undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital.
