Government to introduce rotavirus vaccine by March 2016
Advertisement
NEW DELHI: The rotavirus vaccine will be introduced by March next in the government's routine immunisation programme for protecting children from diarrhoea, a move that is expected to save around 50,000 lives per year from the disease.
The Centre will also launch a three-year-long anti-measles-rubella (MR) campaign next year at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore for saving children in the age group of nine months to 15 years from all kinds of measles.
Rotavirus is a common virus that causes diarrhoea among infants and children throughout the world. Presently, more that 1.50 lakh children die in the country due to the disease every year, of which rotavirus accounts to 50 per cent of the deaths.
Additional Secretary Health, C K Mishra said the introduction of the vaccine (in March next year) will be launched in four states initially including Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa and will act as a "game changer" in reducing the child mortality rate.
"It will be a game changer in bringing down the child mortality as the new vaccine is expected to save more than 50,000 children per year," he said.
Diarrhoea also has high morbidity rate which will be controlled with the rotavirus dose.
"Apart from 1.50 children who die due to diarrhoea, at least two to three times of the children suffer from the disease. It not just the deaths that will be prevented but the whole gamut of diarrhoea-controlling exercise," he said.
The rotavirus vaccine introduced in the national programme has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech.
The Centre will also launch a three-year-long anti-measles-rubella (MR) campaign next year at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore for saving children in the age group of nine months to 15 years from all kinds of measles.
Rotavirus is a common virus that causes diarrhoea among infants and children throughout the world. Presently, more that 1.50 lakh children die in the country due to the disease every year, of which rotavirus accounts to 50 per cent of the deaths.
Additional Secretary Health, C K Mishra said the introduction of the vaccine (in March next year) will be launched in four states initially including Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa and will act as a "game changer" in reducing the child mortality rate.
"It will be a game changer in bringing down the child mortality as the new vaccine is expected to save more than 50,000 children per year," he said.
Diarrhoea also has high morbidity rate which will be controlled with the rotavirus dose.
"Apart from 1.50 children who die due to diarrhoea, at least two to three times of the children suffer from the disease. It not just the deaths that will be prevented but the whole gamut of diarrhoea-controlling exercise," he said.
The rotavirus vaccine introduced in the national programme has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.