The state health department is gearing up to launch a free vaccination drive against Japanese Encephalitis for children aged 1 to 15 years in the state capital, Bhopal, starting on February 27. The vaccination will be carried out at government hospitals and health centers in the city. The department aims to vaccinate approximately nine lakh children in the state capital and has made all necessary arrangements for the campaign.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Bhopal, Prabhakar Tiwari, stated, “As we have received instructions from the state government, we are planning to begin this vaccination drive from February 27. Japanese encephalitis, also known as brain fever, is spreading in some parts of the country. It is a fatal disease, particularly affecting children under 16 years of age, with high mortality rates.”
“Some cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been reported in Bhopal in recent years, but all those cases have recovered, and no fatalities were reported. In most cases, the individuals came from areas where the disease is endemic. The first phase of the vaccination will target children aged 1 to 15 years, and it will be a single-dose vaccine,” he added.
“Once this campaign is completed, the vaccine is proposed to be included in the routine vaccination schedule. It will then require two doses, with the first dose administered at nine months of age and the second at 16 months. It is crucial to vaccinate all children because there is no herd immunity for Japanese encephalitis,” Tiwari explained.
The CMHO also urged all citizens to ensure their children aged 1 to 15 years receive the vaccine, emphasizing that the case fatality rate for this disease is 30 percent, with long-term risks for survivors. “This vaccine is provided free of cost by the government, so please ensure your children are protected. The vaccine is available at routine vaccination centers, and in some major hospitals, it will be administered daily. Additionally, once school examinations are over and children resume regular schooling, we will organize vaccination camps in schools as needed,” he said.
It is estimated that approximately nine lakh children will be vaccinated during this campaign, the CMHO added.