PUNE: The Zilla Parishad is set to launch a Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) drive from July 12 to reduce fatalities among children due to pneumonia.
Ayush Prasad, CEO of the Zilla Parishad, said the PCV inoculation drive will also boost children's immunity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said, “Our endeavour is to cover all children aged below one in our limits. The drive will start from July 12. Training sessions have started for staff at PHCs. We are yet to get a confirmation on the number of doses that'll be supplied by the state government.”
District immunisation officer Dr Sachin Edke said for effective protection from pneumonia (a leading cause of death in children below 5 in the country), each child needs three doses of the vaccine: the first at six weeks of age, the second at 14 weeks and the final dose at nine months of age.
Dr Bhagwan Pawar, district health officer, said, "At private hospitals, one dose of the PCV costs Rs 5,000. A child needs three doses. That works out to Rs 15,000 per child. This government drive will benefit every child below one across the district."
A senior doctor from Sassoon General hospital, who didn't wish to be named, said PCV jabs should not mean protection from Covid in children.
The doctor said, "The PCV acts against pneumonia-causing bacteria. As there is no Covid vaccine for children and as a precautionary measure against a possible third wave, the PCV would act as the first line of defence."
