THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Realizing the burden caused by Pneumococcal Pneumonia, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization has recommended the introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in a phased manner under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in Kerala along with other states.
This vaccine was introduced by the Government of India in 2017 and was expanded to five states. As a part of phased introduction, PCV will be expanded nationwide this year. The PCV introduction will not only reduce the burden of pneumonia due to Pneumococcal Pneumonia but will also address equity issues thereby strengthening the collaborative efforts to reduce under-five mortality. The director of health services (DHS) requested the state government to provide sanction to introduce the PCV in the state under UIP, according to the guidelines issued by the ministry of health and family welfare.
The DHS had reported that as per the expansion plan, 19 states have introduced PCV in 2021 and therefore it is available now in 25 states total with nearly 75% of India’s infant cohort having opportunity to access PCV under UIP free of cost to the state. In these circumstances, the state government has now accorded sanction for introducing the PCV in the state under universal immunization programme (UIP). It has been decided to begin this vaccination from October itself in the state.
Three doses of vaccines have been planned for the children at the age of one-and-a-half months, three-and-a-half months and nine months. The training for the medical officers and the nursing staff for administering this vaccination is going on in the state.
It has been proven that this vaccine prevents the serious pneumonia among the children and provides immunity at the early age. The health department has made it clear that this vaccine is safe and the vaccination is followed by only a mild fever.
