Tamil Nadu's battle against Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which is a highly infectious and potentially deadly mosquito-borne brain disease, has been boosted significantly. Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Wednesday said the JE vaccination programme of the state would be extended to seven additional districts, including the capital city of Chennai, with the target of vaccinating 27 lakh children in the next few months.
The vaccination camps will be held in three well-planned phases to make sure children in high-risk districts are given complete protection. "Japanese Encephalitis is highly fatal and leaves survivors with grave complications. Our objective is to immunise all eligible children in endemic districts," the minister stated at the launch at Girls' Higher Secondary School, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai.
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Phased Roll-Out for Maximum Coverage
The increased vaccination campaign will reach all 13 zones of Chennai, in addition to Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Nagapattinam, and Vellore. Kids between 1 to 15 years of age in these districts will be administered one dose of the JE vaccine. As per the reports, the timeline is as follows:
- Phase 1 (Aug 13 – Sept 12)- Schools: Government and aided schools will have vaccination camps for children aged five to 15 years.
- Phase 2 (Sept 13 – Oct 12)- Anganwadis: Children between one to 5 years of age.
- Phase 3 (Oct 13 – Nov 12)- Orphanages and juvenile reform schools: Vaccination of all children between 1–15 years of age.
Following each phase, a week's catch-up slot will be given to vaccinate those who have missed their turn.
Accessible Locations for All Children
In order to leave no child vulnerable, the camps will be established at schools, anganwadi centres, orphanages, and homes for juvenile reforms. Vaccination will be given on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays for 12 days at a time in every phase.
Why Does The Vaccination Matter?
Japanese Encephalitis is caused by a virus transmitted through the bite of a virus-infected Culex mosquito, which tends to inhabit rural and peri-urban regions. The illness can cause brain swelling, a high temperature, and even death or permanent neurological impairment in extreme instances. The state's specific expansion targets districts where JE is endemic to reduce mortality and morbidity rates in children.
Health officials are appealing to parents, guardians, and community workers to make sure children show up on their rescheduled vaccination day. "This is a preventive measure that can be lifesaving. We appeal to families to make it a priority," the minister said. And, with this expansion, Tamil Nadu reinforces its youngest citizens from one of the most dangerous vector-borne diseases in the region.