45 per cent students get MR vaccination in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: As many as 44.56 per cent children between nine months and 15 years have been administered MR vaccine in the district, authorities said on Thursday. Among the total 7,38,694 children, as many as 3,29,160 have been vaccinated.  Of the 19 blocks in the district, seven have registered below 40 per cent vaccination as on October 25. Koyilandy and Ulliyeri blocks are on the top with 58 per cent and 57 per cent vaccination, respectively.

Valayam has the least figures, at 21 per cent, followed by Cheruppa, 25 per cent. Besides these, Vadakara, Olavanna, Narikkuni, Thiruvallur and Cheruvannur blocks too have registered low vaccination numbers.  Health officers are putting their heads together to better the number in poorly performing blocks.  A discussion ‘Need of MR campaign’ was conducted at Mavoor GMUP School in which WHO observer Dr Saira Bhanu cleared the doubts of parents and children. Private hospitals have been roped in for the purpose and October 28 is being observed as ‘MR-Sunday’.

“On Sunday, private hospitals will vaccinate children from 10 am to noon. Those who missed the vaccination in schools can make use of these facilities,” said district nodal officer of the MR campaign, Dr Sarala Nair.  Five private hospitals in the city have adopted each school in the campaign. While National Hospital adopted Govt. Ganapath Girls HSS, Aster Mims adopted MMVHSS Parappil. Iqra had adopted Markaz School at Eranjipalam, while KMCT Hospital adopted Mahlara School, Mavoor. Abeer Family Medical Center had adopted Hidayathul School. “All efforts are on to up the vaccination rate and the results are visible,” said district medical officer, Dr V. Jayashree.