UNICIEF praises Odisha for high immunization coverage among children
Odisha government’s immunization coverage has been highly praised by the UNICEF despite the challenge of Covid-19 pandemic.
Bhubaneswar: UNICEF India in its latest report ‘The state of the world’s children 2023: For every child, vaccination,’ praised Odisha government’s immunization coverage despite the challenge of Covid-19 pandemic.
More than 90% of children of the state are fully immunized. “In Odisha, immunization coverage has been note-worthy, with 90.5 percent of children fully immunized. It is significantly higher than the national average of 76.4 percent as per national family health survey (NFHS)-5,” said the summary of the report released by UNICEF India on Thursday.
The report further said, “This has been possible due to unique initiatives by the Odisha government to immunize children in hard-to-reach areas and encouraging the participation of community through Panchayati Raj institutions and self-help groups especially in low-coverage areas.”
Due to the coordinated effort of the Odisha government, the report said, 20 out of the state’s 30 districts have achieved more than 90 per cent of full immunization coverage.
“Odisha’s high immunization rates are recorded despite the significant challenges posed by the state’s hilly terrain and forest cover, especially in 144 tribal blocks and 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) residing in areas with non-motorable roads and seasonally cut-off villages,” read the report.
People were motivated through special immunization campaigns ensuring frontline workers travel to remote pockets and families are reached for immunization.
The Unicef India report acknowledged the state government’s investment to ensure an efficient cold chain system to maintain the potency and effectiveness of vaccines throughout the state.
In yet another accomplishment for #Odisha, the State has been lauded by @UNICEF for immunising more than 90% of children, which is more than national average of 76.4 %. Odisha’s consistent efforts to save precious lives continue to garner accolades. #OdishaCares pic.twitter.com/eldadzPn9Q
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 20, 2023
Ms Kalinga