Imphal, December 08 2010: Normal immunization programme for measles being undertaken by the Government is still not fully effective.

Many children are still suffering from the disease in Manipur, said Family Welfare Director Dr L Joykumar.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Dr Joykumar informed that Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis (B) would be covered under normal immunization programme from 2011-12 .

Whereas 20 per cent of the State's children could not be covered by the normal measles immunization programme, the same programme was found to be ineffective in 30 per cent of those children already vaccinated.

As such, a second immunization programme has been launched, Dr Joykumar said.

In accordance to a directive of the Ministry of Health and Family, the immunization programme has been launched only in Imphal West district.

A target of 1,01,1800 children has been set for the immunization programme, which will continue till December 15 .

Saying that the programme was launched with just 66,000 vaccine doses, Dr Joykumar informed that another 40,000 doses of vaccine would be arriving soon.

Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis (B) would also be covered under the department's routine immunization programme from 2011-12 .

He further informed that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would be providing 20 solar power freezers to unelectrified villages of the State.

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