Kozhikode: The entire staff of the health department in the district will get vaccinated as the number of diphtheria cases has soared to 36. Diphtheria is spreading fast among adults, and 30 of them are above 18.
“There was no vaccination in the childhood of a person who is 40 now. So, the most preferred preventive method is to go for vaccination,” said Dr V.P. Sasidharan, principal, Kozhikode government medical college (MCH). The MCH staff started taking vaccine a month back as majority of the cases from Malappuram and Kozhikode are being treated here. The latest case is reported in Keezhariyur village in Koyilandy where a 40-year-old woman was found to be affected on Wednesday. Of the 36 cases, 11 are confirmed.
The general public are also going for vaccination. District RCH (reproductive and child health) officer Dr Sarala Nair told DC that there was no shortage of Td vaccine. “There would be a shortage if there is a beeline for it. But it was for a few hours and there is no such scarcity as being reported in a section of media,” said Dr Sasidharan. According to the health staff, the Td vaccine is available in the open market for Rs 13.
