Rayagada, June 19: The Odisha government has initiated a special vaccination campaign in Rayagada in response to a diphtheria outbreak in the Kashipur area, which tragically claimed the lives of five children.
The health officials are focusing efforts on containing the spread of the bacterial infection, which has also affected neighboring districts Koraput and Kalahandi.
The Health and Family Welfare department has mandated the administration of pentavalent vaccines to children under one year old, while those aged one to seven will receive the combined diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus (DPT) vaccine. Older children will receive the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine.
Health Secretary Shalini Pandit emphasized the importance of this initiative, targeting non-immunized and under-immunized children identified during door-to-door surveys. Medical officers will be stationed at each vaccination site, equipped with anaphylaxis kits to manage any adverse reactions. The comprehensive drive aims to cover affected villages and ensure vaccination for children who may have missed previous doses.
The pentavalent vaccine provides protection against multiple diseases including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis-B, and Hib, crucial for reducing the incidence of life-threatening illnesses in children.
Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health, stressed the importance of preventive measures such as mask-wearing and hand hygiene in affected communities to curb further spread.
Surveillance efforts have been intensified in the affected districts, with health teams conducting house-to-house visits to monitor and respond promptly to any new cases. The vaccination campaign is scheduled to be completed within 15 days, underscoring the government's commitment to public health in the region.
