MR vaccination; focus now on communities

KOZHIKODE: The district has registered 76 per cent in the measles rubella (MR) vaccination campaign as on Saturday. The mission has been extended to November 25 in all districts except Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha where 95 per cent has been achieved. According to the health authorities, the focus will now be on communities rather the schools. “The campaign will continue in Anganwadis, health sub-centres and even door-to-door visits,” says district reproductive child health (RCH) officer Dr Sarala Nair. Doctors say that now the mission will be tougher as they have to address the highest resistance community. “The contact numbers of the reluctant parents have been collected. A squad of designated medical students, decided by the district administration etc, will directly speak to the parents to administer the vaccination to their wards,” she said.

Cherooppa, Valayam, Kuttiadi blocks are the least recorded in the district whereas Ulliyeri, Koyilandy blocks are on the top. Meanwhile, ‘Head Masters’ Forum’, Kozhikode has decided not to cooperate with any activity of the health department in protest against the retired pediatrician’s alleged rude behavior with N. Murali, headmaster at Government girls VHSS, Nadakkavu over the MR drive. “We have decided not to co-operate with the department till they take action against the said retired government pediatrician,” said a press release from the forum.