The Hindu : Kerala News : Need to make effective use of immunisation programme PEOPLESPEAK

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Monday, May 19, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Need to make effective use of immunisation programme PEOPLESPEAK

Routine immunisation coverage is sliding in Kerala, which holds the prospect of the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The Health Department blames propaganda by the anti-vaccine lobby. Is there a crisis of confidence on the vaccination front? Our readers respond:

Nation’s interest

It is a fact that we have been able to control vaccine-preventable diseases to a certain degree. In the last decade, we saw significant achievements in vaccine coverage in the country as a whole. But since 2002-03, we have witnessed a decline in the coverage level in most of the districts. There was failure in the regular conduct of immunisation sessions. There were problems in delivery of vaccines and drugs to outreach sites, inadequate mobility of health workers, lack of proper infrastructure and proper coordination among various departments. Our children should grow up as healthy citizens. So in the larger interests of the country, we should see that proper immunisation drives are undertaken at regular intervals. Steps should be taken to ensure proper delivery of vaccines to rural extension and outreach units. We should identify alternative methods to tackle the problems of staff shortage. Retired hands should be recruited for the purpose.

More NGOs should also be involved. Feedback from the field should be properly documented and studied. Review meetings should be held so that the shortcomings in the systems can be rectified.

Tintu M. Rajan

Kochi

Take up campaign

The arguments of the anti-vaccination lobby are mostly flimsy and without any substance. They arise mainly out of the misconceptions and unawareness of scientific facts. Their agenda is different and should be checked by the government. Anti-vaccine lobbyists argue that diseases can return even if children are vaccinated. This, as we know, is baseless. Ardent and aggressive marketing campaigns have brought even the most obscure of issues out in the open. In this age, where there is easy access to all forms of media, the government cannot excuse itself out. The government should undertake a consistent and relentless campaign to bring about a significant change in clearing off misconceptions from the minds of people. If the State is committed to ensuring a healthy society, it should look into the shortcomings first and ensure that all options in dealing with the issue are exploited.

Shahnaz Mohamed Thahir

Kochi

Prevention is better

Prevention is always better than cure. Vaccination should be promoted to prevent all vaccine-preventable diseases so that these can be eradicated from the face of the world. In our country, there were instances when vaccination reportedly turned fatal. There may be other reasons behind such happenings. However, such incidents have a bearing on the system as a whole and it instils fear in the minds of people. All such aspects should be seen seriously. Steps should be taken to see that these do not repeat. Awareness campaigns to spread the need for vaccination should be

taken up.

K.B. Rajagopalan

Kochi

Avoid pressure groups

The government’s policy on vaccination should move in the right direction. The actions of pressure groups should not cast its spell on the health initiatives. In this world of ruthless business, there are certain lobbies which push their agenda. Their propaganda should be countered. As citizens we have the right to know what is ideal for our children. So, public health activities should be for the betterment of the public and the country as a whole.

It should not be decided and driven by ‘conflicts of interests.’

P. Sankaranarayanan

Kochi

Best way out

Immunisation is the best way to contain communicable diseases. However, nature has its way of doing things. As the medical field rapidly advances with better diagnostics and effective control of diseases, newer forms of diseases seem to be surfacing. This has been happening for centuries.

The remedy lies in prevention. Immunisation is, beyond doubt, the best way out. Campaigns against the anti-vaccination lobby through the media can be effective. Vaccines should be introduced only after elaborate tests. Mass education and formulation of rules combined with suitable counter propaganda can help in the restoration of the natural balance.

O.B. Nair

Poonithura

Vaccine shortage

Three institutes, the Central Research Institute, Pasteur Institute of India and BCGVL, were producing vaccine required for the immunisation programme. Now, these units have been ordered to suspend production ‘for non-compliance with good manufacturing practice.’ This will have wide-ranging repercussions on the national programme.

If the programme has suffered setbacks in Kerala, the same plight will befall Lakshadweep islands too, since the residents are dependent on Kerala for vaccine and other medicines. One can only hope that the Union Minister for Health will stick to his assurance that closure of these units would not result in shortage of essential vaccines.

Attakoya

Lakshadweep

Step up vigil

The immunisation coverage is coming down and some of the vaccine-preventable diseases are coming back. The anti-vaccine lobby has a part in bringing about this situation.

Sufficient care should be taken to see that narrow interests and lobbying do not affect the health of the public. Many drug companies have been trying to sell their products by painting vaccine administration as the worst thing to happen.

The government should step up vigil and such unscrupulous elements should be brought to book. It should revamp its propaganda machinery to allay the fears in the minds of the people.

Only the best drugs should be used. Top priority should be accorded to addressing the pitfalls in the immunisation system. Reports like deaths due to immunisation should be taken seriously and the truth should be brought to light.

K.V. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

Medical mafia

It is a fact that the medical mafia in the State is very strong. They wanted to create a condition wherein the medicines manufactured can be sold to the public with or without the consent of the government. Their agenda is business and they hardly care for the health of the public. They oppose the government’s immunisation efforts in a bid to push their medicines. We should realise the ploy.

They are playing with the health of our children. The government, on it part, should address the genuine concerns of the people.

No vaccines should be used without proper testing. We should not be callous with the health aspect of the next generation. To eradicate diseases like polio, vaccination is a must.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

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