Summary:
Ahmedabad, Oct 20 (PTI) The Gujarat government on Wednesday rolled out free vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia as part of the Centre"s universal immunisation programme, with a target of covering 12 lakh children of up to 18 months old.
The state launched pneumococcal conjugate vaccine-PCV programme to protect toddlers from pneumococcal pneumonia, a lung disease among children that contributes to the overall mortality among children under five years of age.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a respiratory disease that causes inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the lungs, and causes cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath and sore throat.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the state-wide vaccination programme from a health and wellness centre at Alhadpura in the tribal district of Chhota Udepur.
"The vaccine will be given free-of-cost to children up to one and a half years of age at government hospitals, health centres, sub-health centres and health and wellness centres in the state under the Centre"s universal immunisation programme," a government release stated.
Approximately 12 lakh children in the state will be given three doses in a year, with a total of 36 lakh PCV doses, it was stated.