January 17, 2015
WB Govt introduces Pentavalent Vaccination Programme to prevent child mortality
The Health and Family Welfare Department has introduced the Pentavalent vaccination programme throughout the State to prevent infant mortality. The Pentavalent Vaccine will act against five diseases, namely, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis B and HIB (meningitis).
This vaccine will be given to children up to the age of one year and will spare the infants from going through the ordeal of multiple vaccinations for various ailments. The vaccination programme is expected to benefit 15 lakh children in the State per annum.
The combined vaccine would work against five antigens and has to be administered in three doses when the infant reaches six, 10 and 14 weeks and a booster dose at one-and-a-half years. The Health and Family Welfare department is taking all steps to implement this programme successfully across the State.
