Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launches nation-wide expansion of PCV

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya recently launched the nation-wide expansion of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Union Minister also released communication and awareness packages on PCV to create widespread mass awareness. These communication packages will be shared with all states/Union Territories (UTs) for further adaptation and utilisation.

Addressing the nation-wide rollout, the Union Minister said that it is for the first time in the country that PCV will be available for universal use. He added that pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under-five years old, globally and in India. “Pneumonia caused by pneumococcus is the most common cause of severe pneumonia in children. In India, around 16 per cent of deaths in children occur due to pneumonia. The nation-wide rollout of PCV will reduce child mortality by around 60 per cent”, the Health Minister stated.

Highlighting the importance of healthy children in any country’s growth, productivity and development, the Union Minister said, “Children are the future of our country and it is our responsibility to provide them a healthy life. Mission Indradhanush which was launched by the Prime Minister is one such endeavour in this regard. The vision of “Sabko vaccine, muft vaccine” by the Prime Minister guiding the COVID-19 vaccination programme has ensured that the eligible population gets access to the COVID-19 vaccines across the country.” He added that the launch of PCV will further ensure healthy growth and development of our children, apart from reducing child mortality.

While releasing the communication package for the vaccine, Dr Mandaviya exhorted that creating awareness regarding the vaccine is a vital component. The objective of the vaccine is to save the lives of our children and this would be possible if we run a successful awareness campaign across the country.