State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, launched the Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign (MRVC) at Dr. Neilhouzhii Kire government higher secondary school (GHSS) Seikhazou, here Wednesday in the presence of health and family welfare (H&FW) minister, S Pangnyu Phom, advisor school education, KT Sukhalu, advisor rural development, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and H&FW officials. The campaign aims to vaccinate 4.72 lakh children in the age group of 9 months to 15 years during the next five weeks.
Speaking at the launching programme, the chief minister described the day as “historic” and expressed hope that Nagaland would soon become 100% free from measles and rubella.
Asserting that a lot of efforts have been put into the campaign to eliminate Measles and Rubella, the chief minister called upon all to join hands in successful elimination of Measles and Rubella and make Nagaland a healthy and progressive state.
Rio opined that M-R vaccination campaign was a mass movement and sought cooperation of schools, churches, NGOs to make the campaign a 100% success story.
Dismissing rumours about the M-R vaccination, the chief minister said “This is a safe vaccine, certified by WHO and will help our children in battling Measles and Rubella and reduce mortality caused by these diseases.” He further said that there was nothing to worry and appealed to the people not get misled by negative information and false propaganda.
The chief minister has sought cooperation of schools, churches, NGOs so as to make the campaign a 100% success story. “We love our children and want them to be healthy and therefore we seek the cooperation of all the parents and school authorities in successful conducting the campaign,” Rio said.
The chief minister said he was convinced that there were sufficient doctors, knowledge and support to eradicate these diseases and protect the children by giving them vaccination.
H&FW minister, Pangnyu Phom, in his address, said all the children in the state from 9 months to 15 years would be protected from measles and rubella with this vaccination from today onwards.
He said everyone should have a determination to eliminate the measles-rubella disease in the state. Phom also called upon every citizen to join hands for the success of the vaccination campaign in the state and make the Nagaland healthier and free from measles and rubella.
NMH mission director, Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru, in his keynote address, disclosed that due to outbreak of measles there were 12 death cases in 2016 and 2017 and the disease claimed three lives in Kiphire this year.
Dr. Medikhru said the MRVC would be carried out for the next five weeks with initial two week campaign in all the schools both private and government, the third and fourth week campaign would be held in the anganwadi centre, sub-centres, primary health centres and community health centres.
In the fifth week, he said a sweeping campaign would be conducted so that any child missing the vaccination during the four weeks would be vaccinated.
Mission director also clarified the rumours spread through social media about this vaccination campaign, saying the vaccine was safe and successful.
The programme was chaired by principal secretary H&FW, I Himato Zhimomi, invocation was given by Baptist Mission Church Kohima pastor James C. Neikhrienyii, while of vote of thanks proposed by H&FW director, Dr. Vizolie Z. Sekhose.
After the formal programme, the chief minister also released the MR vaccines and around 10 children were vaccinated by the health workers.