Mysuru: Additional Deputy Commissioner B.R. Poornima has said that the Health Department will be introducing Rotavirus and Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD) Vaccine shortly.

Chairing a meeting of the Rapid Task Force of the District Health Department at the DC Office here yesterday, Poornima asked all concerned Departments to join hands with Health Department for  successful introduction of the vaccine.

Pointing out that children must be administered this vaccine atleast three times (6th week, 10th week and 14th week) inorder to prevent death from   diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration etc., she said that the vaccine will be orally administered through a special syringe with each dose containing 2.5 ml of the vaccine.

Stating that the TD Vaccine will be administered to children aged between 10 and 16 years, she said that the Education Department must take the responsibility of ensuring the success of the vaccination drive.

WHO official Dr. Sudheendra Nayak said that Anganawadi staff and ASHA workers have been trained on administering the vaccine. Dr. Nayak emphasised the role of school headmasters and Nodal Officers in the success of the drive.

DHO Dr. R. Venkatesh said that National De-worming Day will be observed on Sept. 25, 2019 and as part of it, school children are given de-worming tablets at Anganawadi Centres and Primary Health Centres.

Pointing out that all children aged between one and 19 years have to be given de-worming tablets, the DHO said that the parents of children must be sensitised on the health problems posed by the worms.

He also said that it is the responsibility of parents that children are ensured pure drinking water, covered food articles and also educated on maintaining personal hygiene.

The Additional DC also reviewed mortality rate between April and June this year, during which it was found that about 10 women had died. The ADC sought information on the hospitals where the deceased pregnant lactating mothers were treated. She also held discussions with the family members of the deceased pregnant women, who attended the meeting.

B.R. Poornima asked the Health Officers to ensure that mortality deaths do not occur in the future and that doctors should conduct regular health check-ups of pregnant women and lactating mothers.

District TB Eradication Officer Dr. Ravi, DDPI Panduranga, Women and Child Welfare Deputy Director K. Padma, ZP Deputy Secretary Prem Kumar and other officials were present.