Inclusion of PCV vaccine in the state’s routine immunization program to protect children from pneumonia.
19 lakh children will be vaccinated every year.
Various vaccines are given in the state under the regular vaccination program to protect children from various diseases. The new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has now been included in the routine vaccination program, which will be given to about 1.9 million children every year, according to the health department. 
Vaccines like BCG, Polio, Rotavirus, Pentavalent, Measles, Rubella, JE, DPT etc. are given to children under a regular vaccination program. The PCV vaccine will be given to protect children from pneumonia as per the guidelines of the central government. The vaccine has been included in the state’s regular vaccination program and health officials and staff have been trained for it, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
Babies will be given three doses of PCV vaccine in the sixth, 14th week and ninth month after birth. The introduction of the vaccine in the regular vaccination program will help in reducing the infant mortality rate, said Dr Pradeep Vyas, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health. Dr Vyas said that training and guidance instructions have been given to the districts regarding this vaccine and posters and banners have been prepared for awareness.
The disease is caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. This causes infection of the respiratory tract and inflammation of the lungs. The risk of developing severe pneumonia is seen in children up to two years of age. Considering the prevalence of diarrhoea and pneumonia in children under one year of age due to infection, the state government has introduced the rotavirus vaccine for diarrhoea prevention and now the PCV vaccine for pneumonia prevention. Dr Vyas said the vaccine would help prevent pneumonia in children in remote and overcrowded areas where the prevalence of pneumonia is highest.
The vaccine is available in private hospitals for a fee and is now available free of cost to government health institutions, hospitals and venues where vaccination sessions are conducted said Additional Director Dr. D. N. Patil said.
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