INDORE: Four rural blocks of Khargone districts have constituted a major chunk of 10 worst performing ones in full immunisation coverage (FIC) of kids in the first four months of the current financial year in Indore division.
The worst performing blocks of Khargone include Gogawan, Khargone, Kasrawad and Maheshwar with 70%, 60%, 60% and 56% FIC of kids against their targets between April and July this year. The information was compiled for a divisional review of the health programme in Indore division around a week back.
District authorities perform vaccination of children aged upto five years under a universal immunisation programme to protect them against diseases such as haemophilus influenza type B — a bacterium which causes meningitis, pneumonia as well as otitis.
Regional director (Health services) Indore division Dr Ashok Dagaria said, “All districts in the division along with the state suffered hugely in respect of all programmes because of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in April and May.” ``This wave led to diversion of focus, human resource on it along with COVID-19 vaccination, which was going on amidst it on its pace to affection others”, said Dr Dagaria.
In case of Khargone, the impact was more and also it was the lowest achiever district in Indore division in FIC programme in those first four months, said Dr Dagaria. Khargone district only fully immunised 72% of targeted population of kids in those periods, which was even lower than 78% average coverage achieved cumulatively all districts of state.
“The district health authorities were issued specific instructions during review meeting and it will also be picked up like other districts did after getting respite from COVID-19 second wave”, said Dr Dagaria. Almost all districts of division faired better than state’s average except two districts including Khargone with Alirajpur and Indore leading the chart with 94% coverage.
