Govt committed to reduce mortality in kids: Nadda

Pledging to save every child, Health Minister JP Nadda said that the government is committed to reducing morbidity and mortality in children. "It's a commitment of the government that no child would die in the country from vaccine-preventable diseases. We stand committed to reducing child deaths and providing a healthier future to our children," the health minister said while introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in the universal immunisation programme (UIP) at a function in Mandi (Himachal Pradesh).

Terming this as a historic moment, Nadda said that strengthening routine immunisation is an essential investment in India's children and will ensure a healthy future of the country.

The launched vaccine protects children against severe forms of pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia and meningitis. Currently, the vaccine is being rolled out to approximately 21 lakh children in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Bihar and UP in the first phase. This will be followed by the introduction in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan next year, and eventually, be expanded to the country in a phased manner.

Reiterating the commitment of PM Narendra Modi to save lives of children against vaccine-preventable diseases, Nadda said, "The government has taken notable steps in the direction of total immunisation. Under Mission Indradhanush, so far, more than 2.6 crore beneficiaries have been immunised. From 1 per cent annual increase in coverage of full immunisation, the Mission Indradhanush has resulted in a 6.7 per cent annual expansion in the immunisation cover."