The State’s health indices are getting challenged, with more cases of suspected diphtheria being reported from the district. At the same time, the district health authorities maintained that follow-up action was being taken on a regular basis.
Though Ernakulam had an official immunity status of around 90% earlier, it is at present 88.8% officially and 82.5% unofficially.
Over 15% of the population in the district are unimmunised.
According to public health experts, when immunity levels reach 80% or less, one in five children can be considered as unimmunised. A status of above 90% protects people, while that of less than 85% is an invitation to diseases.
Dr. Usha Kumari, Additional Director, Health Services, said that anything below 95% coverage could be seen as a gap in immunisation.
Immunisation status is arrived at by taking into account all the vaccinations given to all one-year-olds. However, with chinks appearing, diseases that were long gone are making a comeback. “When the immunisation levels are high, transmission of infection is not possible even if there are a few unimmunised children. The bacteria finds it difficult to find a host in such a situation. This is also called ‘herd immunity’,” said Dr. Rakesh P.S. of the department of community health, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
Dr. Rakesh was of the view that the influx of migrants has also shifted the balance of immunisation levels.
