Statewide vaccination drive to protect children aged 10 and 16 against tetanus and diphtheria

A vaccination drive will be held across the State from December 3 to 5 to protect children against diphtheria and tetanus, which are potentially life-threatening yet preventable bacterial diseases.

According to a release from the Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare, the TD (Tetanus-Diphtheria) vaccine will be administered to children who have completed 10 and 16 years of age. The health department aims to cover more than 95% of children in this age bracket during the drive, which will be conducted across government and private schools and intermediate colleges on three days.

Children receive Pentavalent vaccines when very young as part of the immunisation programme, and the TD vaccine is administered to provide additional protection. According to the release, protection during adolescence is also essential, as diphtheria and tetanus are infectious diseases that can cause serious illness and even prove fatal.

Children who have completed 10 years of age should be administered the TD-10 vaccine, while those who have completed 16 years should receive the TD-16 vaccine.

Before the drive begins, ANMs have been directed to prepare a list of government and private schools and intermediate colleges in their jurisdictions and collect details of children eligible for vaccination. They should also identify those who did not attend schools or colleges. They have also been tasked with arranging the required vaccine doses, medical supplies, among other things.

Health and Family Welfare Commissioner and National Health Mission Director K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu directed District Medical and Health Officers, District Immunisation Officers and medical officers working in Primary Health Centres to conduct coordination meetings with the departments of Women and Child Welfare, Education, Minority Welfare, Panchayat Raj and Municipal Administration and Urban Development for the effective implementation of the drive.

Mr. Chakradhar Babu directed district health officials to continuously monitor the drive and inspect vaccination centres to ensure adequate vaccine availability, anaphylaxis kits, and other medical supplies to treat any emergencies.

Once vaccination is completed, digital certificates of the same should be issued to all beneficiaries and the same information should be uploaded on online health portals, the official said.