Union Health minister JP Nadda today launched the rotavirus vaccine nationwide from Bhubaneswar today as part of the central government’s immunisation programme for protecting children from diarrhea.
Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak were present during the launch of the vaccine, which will also be launched in three other states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
This is a significant medical intervention for preventing infant mortality in Odisha which witnesses cases of widespread diarrhoea during monsoons. By launching this rotavirus this vaccine will be given to 27 million children throughout the country. This is certainly going to help in reducing IMR and also see to it that the public health is taken care of. Approximately yearly 80,000 children die because of rotavirus and approximately 10 lakh children are hospitalized yearly suffering from rotavirus disease. It is very fatal and the time span to take care is very less. It is a very cost effective intervention which has taken place and it is also going to bring a change in health scenario of the children and see to it that we are able to address the issue of IMR.
