Maha govt launches Rotavirus vaccination programme

The Maharashtra government Saturday launched a statewide Rotavirus vaccination drive that will cover 20 lakh children from Kasara in Thane district.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Eknath Shinde said he would seek additional funds from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for Health department for speedy completion of pending works related to health centres.

Rotavirus vaccine is a vaccine used to protect against rotavirus infections, which are the leading cause of severe diarrhoea among young children.

"It has been observed that 40 per cent of children treated for diarrhoea are affected by Rotavirus. The threat is there for the children who are up to two-year-old," he said.

The minister said that employees of Health department from 34 districts and 27 municipal corporations have been trained for administering the vaccine.

He said the process of filling up 890 vacancies in Health department, especially of MBBS doctors and specialists at various health centres, is underway.

"Dialysis facility is being provided to needy patients in the rural region. Moreover, sub-centres are being converted into 'arogyawardhini' units. A total of 1100 such units are already in operation," he said.