MR drive over, govt fails to meet set target

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 23

The Health Department has been able to vaccinate 89 per cent of children under measles-rubbela (MR) drive despite the Punjab Government extending the deadline for nine days. The six-week state-wide MR campaign, which was scheduled to end by June 15, was extended till June 23. 

Kicked off with much fanfare by the government across the state on May 1, the deparment was able to vaccinate 64.5 lakh children against the set target of 73 lakhs. The Patiala Health Department has vaccinated 4,52,000 children against the target of 4,90,000. 

Sources said rumours and negative publicity in the initial stage related to MR vaccination had a devastating impact on the campaign.

A senior health official informed that despite lot of counselling, parents were reluctant in giving their consent. He said people living in slums, mostly migrants never came forward.

Rajesh Bhasker, Medical Officer, Immunisation said, “ There could be different possible reasons, in different district, for underimmunisation. Therefore, we will analyse the results district wise.” He said the Health Department would strategize the lapses in the MR vaccination drive. 

An official on condition of anonymity said for the campaign to be successful, it became important that no child was left behind during the drive.