Rotavirus vaccine launched nationwide from Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Union Health minister JP Nadda today rolled out the rotavirus vaccine nationwide from Odisha today as part of the central government’s routine 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 rolled out in three other states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

“This happens to be a historical moment for me to witness this launching of rotavirus vaccine. This is not a routine program. It is a historical occasion and the program sets a goal in the field of public health. By launching this rotavirus we are taking a pledge to give this vaccine to 27 million children throughout the length and the breadth of the country. This is certainly going to help in reducing IMR and also see to it that the public health is taken care of. We all know that 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. I am very happy and thankful to the Odisha government. We wanted to launch here in Odisha to create awareness. This program is certainly going to bring a difference. Today rotavirus vaccine has been launched in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Haryana in coming times it will be launched nationwide,” said Nadda.

“I would like to thank the Union Health and Family welfare ministry for the national level launch of the rotavirus vaccine in Odisha. The initiative of the Indian government to launch vaccines like rotavirus is significant for the Public health cause. While concluding I would like to bring on board various issues of the Centre and State related to public health and these should not be dealt in isolation. Improving the medical education, para medical education, infrastructure, bed strength and availability of drugs and diagnostics etc have to be taken care of simultaneously in a multi-faceted way to have an impact. Each of these aspects needs to be given focus and adequate attention of the government which is possible when there is a good collaboration between centre and state government. The government of Odisha places its commitment for all the public health initiatives including immunization programme in the right direction. We would certainly take all out steps for effective implementation of vaccine against rotavirus. In this regard, I would like to bring to the kind attention of the Union minister some of the pending issues of the State government like budgetary support for establishment of five new medical colleges, support for the regional cancer institute, upgrade of AHRCs into apex centre of excellence on Cancer, setting up of institute of mental health and neuroscience at par with NIMHANS, central institute of Yoga and Naturopathy, and opening of medical institute of para medical science at Bhubaneswar etc,” said Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak