ITANAGAR, 31 May: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was launched across the state on Monday.
In Tawang, ZPC Leki Gombu and Jang ADC RD Thungon launched the PCV at KDS District Hospital.
Gombu and Thungon also flagged off two ambulances from the Jang CHC. “One of the ambulances will cover Mago Thingbu and Lhou circles, while the other one will serve the people of Mogto and Bongkhar circles,” informed the ADC.
PCV was also launched at the Lungla CHC by SMO Dr Tsering Penjor, and in Mogto circle headquarters by Mogto CO Dorjee Wangchu.
At KDS District Hospital, all staffers and doctors took the pledge to quit smoking and not use any kind of tobacco products, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.
In Papum Pare district, the PCV was launched on Monday by DMO Dr Komling Perme. An eight-weeks-old beneficiary was vaccinated during the launch programme.
Simultaneously, World No Tobacco Day was observed with theme ‘Commit to quit’ at the HWC in Yupia by the district tobacco control cell.
In East Siang, Pasighat East MLA Kaling Moyong launched the PCV as part of the universal routine immunization programme at Bakin Pertin General Hospital & Training Centre in Pasighat, in the presence of DC Dr Kinny Singh, DRCHO Dr T Gao, DMO Dr Kaling Dai, and others.
In Changlang, the PCV was launched by DC Dr Devansh Yadav at the district hospital, in the presence of DMO Dr K Mossang and others. The DC also administered the ‘no tobacco’ pledge on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day. (DIPROs)
Our correspondent adds: The PCV was launched in Lower Dibang Valley district by DC KN Damo at the district hospital in Roing.
DRCHO Dr Raju Mena informed that “the PCV is a vaccine for children, which will be given at 6 and 14 weeks, followed by a booster dose at 9 months.”
“It will protect children against pneumonia, meningitis and other deadly infections caused by streptococcus pneumonae, thereby reducing the infant mortality rate of children under one year of age,” informed Dr Mena.
The PCV was also launched at the Bolung PHC by ZPM Bolung Arun Pertin.
In Upper Siang, the PCV was launched by Health Minister Alo Libang at the district hospital in Yingkiong.
