Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 25: More than 2.5 lakh children die every year in Orissa due to virus-caused diseases such as measles, hepatitis and diphtheria that are preventable with vaccination, opined medical experts here.
“Vaccination of a child is the most important duty of a parent. However, due to lack of proper knowledge and various myths prevailing, many parents are reluctant for immunisation of their children against diseases that can prove fatal,” said Sanjay Gandhi, a top health expert, at a conference titled ‘Value of Vaccines’ organised by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd here Tuesday.
The Centre had initiated Mission Indradhanush, in which health officials are undertaking mass immunisation drives against measles, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis and polio. However, there are other diseases – such as pneumonia, rotavirus, diarrhoea and chickenpox – for which vaccination is vital.
“Vaccination is not only mandatory for children, but also for adults as they can be vaccinated against swine flu, typhoid, meningitis and chickenpox in order to minimise chances of having these ailments. These vaccines can be given to people of any age group depending upon the disease,” said paediatrician Biswajit Mishra.
Gynaecologist Santosh Mishra said prior vaccination can also prevent deadly cervical cancer among women. “Cancer of the cervix is nowadays the second most prevalent cancer among women in India. Once it occurs, the chances of survival are very low, but we can prevent it with the anti-HPV vaccine. This can be given to women of any age group beginning from the age of ten,” said Mishra.