The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland will be conducting Round 2 of Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 5.0) from 11-16 September 2023 across the State. Dr Imkongtemsu Longchar, State Immunization Officer has informed in a press release that 191 IMI sessions have been created for 1187 children from 0-5 years and 81 pregnant women to receive immunization.

The objective of IMI 5.0 is to identify all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children up to 5 years and pregnant mothers who could not take up timely immunization, register them on U-WIN and vaccinate them in specially planned IMI sessions. With the rest of the country, Nagaland too had conducted the First Round of IMI 5.0 from 7-12 August 2023. Round 3 is scheduled from 9-14 October 2023, the SIO informed.

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The H&FW also mentioned that during the Round 1 of IMI 5.0, the State could achieve 81% coverage for 0-2 years age group, 92% coverage in 2-5 years age group and 86% coverage for identified pregnant women (as per State coverage data).

The department has notified if some beneficiaries are missed during the headcount, there is the option for onsite registration for which an ID card will be required (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, driving license, service card, ration card or any government approved ID card). It stated that despite multiple visits to the household by the health care workers, the challenge of vaccine refusal still exists and it is a major hurdle in ensuring that no child is left behind for life saving vaccinations.

The department also hoped that caregivers will take up the opportunity to get their child/children fully protected from vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) like TB, Pneumonia, Diarrhoea, Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Tetanus, Hib, Hepatitis-B, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles & Rubella during the upcoming Round 2 of IMI 5.0.

Caregivers/parents of children receiving vaccinations have to take note of the following important points:

• During each due date of the vaccination schedule, the child may receive multiple vaccinations. This can either be an injectable vaccine or oral dose vaccine.
• Different vaccines doses are introduced at different age, hence, for a child who delays or misses out on timely immunization schedule, the vaccine injection load might be more than for a child who takes timely immunization. Multiple injections are safe for the child to take up.
• An interruption in the schedule does not require a child to start the series over for any vaccines. Hence, the missed doses should be taken up at the earliest so that the child is kept protected from the VPDs
• The vaccine against TB called as BCG (bacille Calmette–Guérin) vaccine is usually given during the first 6 weeks of a child’s life will leave a small sore that heals quickly. Caregivers have the misconception that all the other subsequent vaccines will also cause similar discomfort and they drop out their child out of the immunization schedule. But, caregivers should remember that discomfort, tenderness or soreness at the injection site is minor compared to the serious diseases that these vaccines can prevent.
• Some children get a slight fever or maybe redness or swelling at the injection site, but that is normal. Those reactions go away by themselves. If fever persists, caregivers should consult with the healthcare worker.

H&FW also stressed that the community needs to know the importance of immunizing the child at the right age to ensure that the child receives full protection. The vaccines are available free of cost at all Government health facilities and that every unvaccinated or partially vaccinated child is at risk of life-threatening disease.

Further, the department sought support from allied departments, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Village Council Chairperson, Women leaders and members of IMA, IAP, IDA, Rotary, Lions Club, etc. in ensuring that all children under 5 years of age in the family or community complete their dose during this special immunization sessions being organized in their area as part of IMI 5.0 and to maintain the timely immunization schedule through the regular Routine Immunization services in the Government health units. Only through support from the community can the immunization activities be sustained, it added.