A one-day immunisation workshop was held at the collectorate in Nagar Kurnool on Wednesday. The event was organised by the health department in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. KV Swarajya Lakshmi, the District Medical and Health Officer, stressed the importance of achieving 100% immunisation. She explained that this would help protect children from 12 serious diseases, from birth up to the age of 16. Dr. Lakshmi also urged healthcare workers to make sure pregnant women receive tetanus vaccines as soon as they register. She highlighted the need to follow the vaccination schedule in every village, hamlet, and urban ward.
Healthcare workers, including ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, were encouraged to hold awareness campaigns to support the immunisation drive. Dr. K Ravikumar Naik, the District Immunization Officer, gave a presentation on how to properly store vaccines, maintain the cold chain, and follow the national immunization schedule. He also discussed how to handle any side effects from the vaccines.
WHO representative Dr. Azhar emphasized the need to keep a close watch for possible cases of diseases like polio, measles, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. He advised that any suspicious symptoms in children under 15 should be reported immediately to the district immunization officer.
Additionally, the “SAANS Campaign” will run from November 12 to February 28, 2025. This campaign aims to raise awareness about pneumonia, including its prevention, symptoms, and treatment. The goal is to eliminate pneumonia in children, ensuring that no child suffers from the disease.
Several key health officials, including Dr. M Venkata Das, Dr. Tara Singh, Dr. Krishna Mohan, and many primary medical officers and supervisory staff from the district, attended the event.