Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launches nationwide expansion of PCV under Universal Immunization Programme 

The Union Minister also released communication and awareness packages on PCV to create widespread mass awareness

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched the nationwide expansion of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Union Minister also released communication and awareness packages on PCV to create widespread mass awareness. These communication packages will be shared with all States/UTs for further adaptation and utilisation.

Addressing the nationwide rollout, the Union Minister said that it is for the first time in the country that PCV will be available for universal use. He added that pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under-five years old, globally and in India. “Pneumonia caused by pneumococcus is the most common cause of severe pneumonia in children. 

The minister congratulated all the immunisation staff, healthcare workers and officials for their efforts in the rollout of the life-saving vaccine. While releasing the Communication Package for the vaccine, Dr Mandaviya exhorted that creating awareness regarding the vaccine is a vital component. The objective of the vaccine is to save the lives of our children and this would be possible if we run a successful awareness campaign across the country.