Pimpri-Chinchwad Takes Aim at Vaccination Gaps: Launches Second Round of ‘Special Mission Indradhanush’ Campaign
Pune, India: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has embarked on the second phase of the ‘Special Mission Indradhanush Campaign’ for 2023, bolstering efforts to ensure comprehensive vaccination coverage in the region. Following the successful completion of the first round in August, the second phase is scheduled from September 11th to September 16th, 2023, with a subsequent third round planned from October 9th to October 14th, 2023.
Vaccinations are pivotal in safeguarding the health and well-being of children, shielding them from preventable diseases. Alarming findings from a recent study underscore the critical importance of full vaccination coverage, revealing that children who remain unvaccinated face heightened health risks and the potential for premature mortality. In a bid to combat this challenge, the Indian government has set ambitious goals to eliminate measles and rubella by December 2023.
To translate this vision into reality, the Central Government launched the ‘Special Mission Indradhanush 5.0’ initiative across all districts and Municipal Corporations in three phases commencing in August 2023. The campaign’s overarching objective is to identify and immunize all children who have not received the full spectrum of recommended vaccines, including those who have received partial vaccinations, alongside prioritizing pregnant mothers.
According to guidelines provided by the Additional Director of Health Services, Family Welfare, Maternal Child Care, and School Health Pune, the ‘Special Mission Indradhanush Campaign’ 2023 is actively underway within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation jurisdiction. The initial round successfully concluded on August 23rd. The second phase, scheduled until September 16th, is now in progress, with the third phase earmarked for October 9th to October 14th, 2023.
To facilitate a seamless implementation of this critical campaign, a state-level training session was conducted on July 4th and 5th, 2023. Subsequently, from July 10th to 15th, 2023, extensive training was provided to senior and in-charge medical officers, Public Health Nurses (P.H.N.), senior Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), ANMs, and Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) volunteers affiliated with the municipality.
Parents are earnestly encouraged to engage with the medical officer at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation hospital or their nearest dispensary if their children aged 0 to 5 years have not received age-appropriate vaccinations. This vital vaccination service is provided free of charge, and active cooperation from all stakeholders is pivotal to the campaign’s success.
