The combined Measles-Rubella vaccination drive was badly hit by false campaigns on social media platforms as one crore of the targeted population is yet to be vaccinated in Tamil Nadu, according to an official of the Health Department.
The officials said here on Sunday that the drive has so far covered only 76 lakh out of the targeted population of 1.76 crore children aged between nine months and 15 years in the State.
In Coimbatore, 5.8 lakh children have not taken the vaccination. Only 2,78,432 out of 8,62,442 children were vaccinated as on Friday.
To repair the damage, the vaccination drive will also be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays in all primary and urban health centres, government hospitals and selected private hospitals.
“Fake online campaigns against M-R vaccination have negatively affected the drive in the State. More efforts will be taken in the coming days to take the immunisation to the left out population,” G. Thamaraiselvi, joint director (Immunisation), told The Hindu on Sunday.
Following apprehensions raised by parents about the vaccination, some of the schools had given forms to students to be taken home and get them signed stating that ‘not interested to take the vaccination’.
With the drive further extended for two weeks till March 14, Health Department has decided to conduct meetings with Education Department for sensitising students and parents.
“Meeting will be held with District Education Officer and Chief Education Officer in every district to increase the reach of the drive,” she added.
Apart from extending the drive for two more weeks, M-R vaccination will made available in every government hospital free of cost for children aged above nine months. Members of paediatrics association said that private hospitals had been giving measles and vaccination to children for the last 30 years and no side effects have been reported.
