Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Patiala, Kicked off with much fanfare by the state government on May 1, the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination drive has only been able to cover 54% of the children even as a mere two weeks are left for it to conclude.
Data gathered from the Punjab health department shows that of the 73 lakh targeted children, only 39 lakh have been vaccinated. The border district of Pathankot is on the top with 89.3 per cent vaccination, followed by Rupnagar at 89.1 per cent. Patiala, the home district of Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra, stands sixth with 67.1 per cent coverage. Barnala and Ferozepur have fared poorly at 35.6 and 39.3 per cent.
If health officials are to be believed, the negative social media propaganda has taken a toll on the drive, organised as part of the Universal Immunisation Programme. The WHO has dubbed the campaign as a major step towards reducing childhood mortality and incidence of birth defects.
The misinformation that the vaccine could cause side-effects, and even long-term adversities, created a scare among children and their parents. So much so that the police had to lodge FIRs over the circulation of fake news on the social media after students at several places refused to get vaccinated. State Immunisation Officer GB Singh said, “Rumours marred the campaign in its initial stages, but things are looking up now. Our teams have pulled out all the stops and we are hopeful of achieving the target.”
