AMN /
Union Health Minister J P Nadda today launched the second phase of Mission Indradhanush to achieve full immunisation of children below two years. However, the week-long programme will be implemented from Wednesday in 352 districts of the country.
The objective of the Mission is to fully immunise those children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against the seven diseases including Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Hepatitis B. Mr Nadda also reviewed the preparedness of the second phase of the mission with the States in New Delhi. During the interaction through video conferencing with the State Health Secretaries, Mr Nadda assured the States to provide all technical and logistic support to make the programme successful.
Earlier Additional Secretary in the Union Health Ministry C K Mishra said, around 40 lakh children will be administered vaccines in this phase. He said, during the 1st phase which was rolled out in April this year in 201 districts, 45 lakh children were covered out of which around 20 lakh were fully immunised.
AIR correspondent reports that the mission had been launched in December last year with the aim of expanding immunization coverage to all children across India by year 2020.