Karnataka - Bellary   

5.75 children administered brain fever vaccine in Bellary

Staff Correspondent

The target was 7.20 lakh children in the 1-15 age group

BELLARY: As many as 5.75 lakh children of the targeted 7.20 lakh in the 1-15 age group in Bellary district were administered anti-Japanese Encephalitis (brain fever) vaccine during the special one-week drive.

Bellary is among the 11 districts in the country and the only one in the State selected by the Union Ministry of Health for the special drive. Bellary has a high incidence of brain fever cases. Children up to the age of 15 are vulnerable to the disease, which is generally reported in July/August till the end of January/February every year. A third of the affected children survive while another third die. An equal number of them become physically handicapped.

This was for the first time that a special vaccine, imported from China, was administered to the children against the disease.

Hanumaiah, District Health Officer, told The Hindu on Monday that the achievement was about 85 per cent. Due to shortage of staff and the apprehension among some parents about the side effects of the vaccine, it was not possible to achieve 100 per cent. The following is the taluk-wise details of the vaccination programme implemented up to Sunday in the district. Bellary 1,80,142; Sandur 49,000; Sirguppa 73,223; Hospet 1,10,478; Kudligi 71,193; Hagari Bommanahalli 42,963 and Hadagali 48,239. For the benefit of the public, the health authorities have decided to extend the programme for 10 more days. The vaccine would be administered in the district health office in the city, Dr. Hanumaiah said.

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5.75 children administered brain fever vaccine in Bellary

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