Panaji: Goa will become the first state in the country to administer Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines to the newborns which will reduce the mortality rate.
State Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters on Wednesday that the cabinet has approved introduction of pneumococcal conjugate Vaccine as per guidelines of UNICEF to reduce the infant mortality in the state.
“These vaccine will have a particular schedule and it is to be administered through three doses including two regular and a booster dose,” Sawant said.
Two primary doses will be administered between six weeks to fourteen weeks for the child while booster dose will be given on the ninth month.
“State cabinet has approved Rs 1.21 crore for the vaccination program which will be implemented throughout the state,” Sawant said.
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that Goa will now be the first state in India to introduce this vaccine that will help us focus on our mission of a healthy Goa.
“I would like to thank and express my gratitude towards our CM Pramod Sawant for taking my vision forward by introducing the vaccine in the State,” he said.
State Health department sources stated that the vaccine caters to the diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae which are a major public health problem worldwide.
Serious diseases that are often caused by pneumococci include pneumonia, meningitis and others.
In 2005, WHO estimated that 1.6 million people die of pneumococcal disease every year; this estimate includes the deaths of 0.7-1 million children aged less than 5 years, most of whom live in developing countries.
