Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, in partnership with Andhra Hospitals, will be sponsoring vaccination of infants below six months for rotaviral infections free of cost here.
Addressing the media, Andhra group of hospitals director P.V. Rama Rao said that rotaviruses caused gastroenteritis in infants and every year one lakh children dying in the country because of the infections.
The virus infects and damages the cells that line the small intestine and causes gastroenteritis (which is often called ‘stomach flu’ despite having no relation to influenza).
While a vaccine was available for the rotaviral infections, in was not included in the government immunisation programme because the inoculation was on the expensive side, Dr Rama Rao, a paediatric intensive care specialist, said.
Ms Samantha already has a tie up with the Andhra group of hospitals. Ms Samantha through her charitable trust Prathyusha Support pays a third of the hospital bills of infants requiring intensive care support. Under the arrangement, Ms Samantha pays a third of the bills, Andhra Hospitals pays a third of the bill and the remaining one-third has to be footed by the parents.
But in this Rotavirus Vaccine Campaign, Ms Samantha and Andhra Group of Hospitals are footing the entire cost.
The first of three doses would be administered to the infants who are below 6 months of age from November 2 to 4.
Barring the age of six months there was no other restriction for the babies to avail the vaccination. The doses had to be taken at monthly intervals.
The parents will be given a slip with date and time they should bring the child for the subsequent doses, Dr Rama Rao said.
Since the vaccination costs Rs 2,000 (all three doses) parents with infants that were less than six months should make the best of the opportunity, he said.
Those interested should call 9494254206 of 08662576757 to register in advance get an appointment.
