Delhi Rolls Out Free Pneumococcal Vaccination For Children Below The Age Of Five

Following in the footsteps of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Jharkhand, the national capital Delhi has also launched a free pneumococcal vaccines drive.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the vaccines will be administered for free at Delhi government-run hospitals and dispensaries in the national capital.

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Priced between Rs 1,500-6,000

These vaccines protect children from pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis among other diseases and cost between Rs 1,500 to 6,000.

CM @ArvindKejriwal launches Pneumococcal Vaccination in Delhi

??Pneumococcal vaccine will be administered to children for pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis etc.

??The vaccine, which is very costly in Private Hospitals, will be available for Free in all Govt Hospitals & Dispensaries pic.twitter.com/b9cez9W9o7

¡ª AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 15, 2021

Flagging off the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination Programme at the Aam Aadmi Polyclinic at Paschim Vihar in Delhi, Kejriwal encouraged parents to get their children vaccinated.

"Till now, children in Delhi were administered vaccines for 12 diseases. From today, we are administering vaccines against pneumonia.

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¡ª Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 15, 2021

"Earlier those under the age of five were gravely affected by pneumonia in some cases even leading to death. This vaccine will protect children against death. Not only pneumonia, but the vaccine will also protect children from diseases like meningitis and sepsis," he said.

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These vaccine jabs will be administered for free at the Delhi government's health facilities and each child will get three doses at specified time periods, the statement said.

"This is a very expensive injection... It is generally unaffordable for the common public. So, the Delhi Government will provide it for free at its centres. This a step forward toward Delhi government's resolve to improve and strengthen the healthcare system and infrastructure of the national capital," the chief minister said.

With the third wave of COVID-19 around the corner, which many fear will affect children more than in the first two waves, several states have been in a rush to provide the vulnerable population from infection.

As COVID-19 vaccinations are not yet available for children, experts believe that giving them protection from pneumonia and similar bacterial diseases would reduce the complications if the fears of the third wave affecting children more come true.