Pune: In a major public health initiative, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Health Department has successfully vaccinated 1,23,427 children between the ages of 1 and 15 years against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) between March 1 and March 15. The campaign aims to prevent the spread of this serious mosquito-borne disease among children.
Mass Vaccination Drive in Schools and Anganwadis
The JE vaccination campaign is being conducted across schools, Anganwadis (childcare centers), primary healthcare centers, and special vaccination camps. The vaccine is being administered free of charge by trained medical teams to ensure safe and effective immunization.
Dr. Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer, has urged parents to get their children vaccinated, emphasizing that the JE vaccine is completely safe. Dr. Nina Borade, Chief Health Officer, reassured parents that the vaccine has no significant side effects and that all children in the 1 to 15-year age group should be vaccinated for protection against the disease.
Schools and Healthcare Centers Urged to Cooperate
To ensure the smooth execution of the vaccination campaign, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has appealed to all Anganwadis and schools in Pune to coordinate with local health centers and regional medical officers. This collaboration will help increase vaccine coverage and prevent JE infections in children.
Understanding Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a serious viral disease caused by the Culex mosquito, which thrives in swampy and grassy areas. The virus is often carried by pigs and can easily spread in environments where these animals are present.
Children are at a higher risk of JE infection, and the disease can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to severe complications or even death if left untreated. Timely vaccination is the best preventive measure to protect children from this potentially fatal disease.