Vaccination drive yet to gain momentum in Kerala

MALAPPURAM: Kerala government’s ambitious Measles -Rubella vaccination drive is yet to gain momentum in Malappuram district thanks to negative social media campaign based on religious and medical concerns.

According to statistics from health department, only 62.5 per cent of targeted population has completed vaccination procedures, even after three phases of the campaign. When the third phase of the vaccination concluded on Saturday, 37.5 per cent children is left out.

As the district failed to meet the target, the campaign has been extended, for the third time, up to Nov.30.

ACCORDING to District MEDICAL OFICER (Dmo)k.sa keen a, there is strong resistance from a section of people but efforts are on to meet the target through awareness campaigns. The lowest vaccination rate, around 25 per cent, was reported from Cheriyamundam region of Valavannur block when the third phase concluded. “We will give special focus to such areas on next ive Days,” Dr SAKEENA told MEDIA persons. In view of the attack on medical team during mr vaccination at kut tip ur am two days ago, district Collector directed police to provide proper protection to all medical teams which are involved in MR vaccination campaign in schools.

Special task forces also have been constituted to monitor the activities of anti-vaccination campaigners, in the regions where the vaccination drive evoked little or no response.

No untoward incidents related to the vaccination drive, have been reported in the district on Saturday.

Last week police arrested three persons in connection with the attack on a medical team during MR vaccination campaign in a school near Valanchery.

THE Arrested HAVE BEEN IDENTIIED As Thazvan, Mubashir and Faizal, all natives of e day ur near val an che ry. shy am lab hai, a junior public health nurse (JPHN) of Edayur primary health centre who was a member of medical team that conducted MR vaccination campaign at Athipetta GLP School, sustained serious injuries.

Valanchery police registered a case based on a complaint lodged by Dr Ai Mohammed who led the medical team. The assailants alleged that the children were vaccinated without their parents’ consent.

In the other incident, a group of parents turned violent during the vaccination drive at MES Central School, Thirunnavaya. According to Dr K. Moideen, who accompanied the team, the health workers were manhandled.