THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Known for its aversion to vaccination, Malappuram has stumped everyone this time as positive reports on the extent of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination emerge from the district.
More than half the targeted 12.6 lakh children in the district have been administered the vaccination, showing the district has built immunity to anti-vaccination campaigns and circulation of reports claiming of a ‘slow-down’ in the vaccination drive in northern districts.
The district has the highest number of children to be immunised under the campaign. A look at the total number of children who have been vaccinated shows the district’s performance is almost similar to its top-performing counterparts. In fact, the positive response to MR vaccination in Malappuram has even gained the appreciation of WHO.
“Malappuram has been a great success. Nowhere in the country was such an anti-vaccination campaign on show as in Malappuram. However, a drastic change is being witnessed. The response to MR vaccine shows Malappuram is changing,” said Balwinder Singh, the WHO technical officer mainly for immunisation programmes.
“In Delhi, people say if we get a high average in Malappuram, the battle has been won,” said Singh, who also lauded the Malappuram district medical officer (DMO) and other health staff for their efforts. “The government should see the vaccination programme continues in Malappuram even after the campaign ends on November 18,” he said.
Hoping to achieve 70 to 75 per cent of the intended number within a targeted time, Malappuram DMO Sakeena K said the drive had been a success if one looked at the anti-vaccine campaigns which were not seen in any other district as in Malappuram.
“Unlike other districts, there was a six-fold effort to convince parents and children here for the vaccination. All the programmes and sustained campaigns brought positive results,” she said.
“MR vaccination will have a long term impact on routine vaccinations here. It is for the first time in the history of Malappuram that vaccination is being discussed in all panchayats. A big change has swept the district and people have accepted the campaign. Many parents have begun enquiring about the various immunisation programmes,” she said.
Despite all this, the anti-vaccine campaign was going on in full swing in Malappuram, Sakeena said.
“A group of naturopaths and people following religious-based treatments are involved in the propaganda against the vaccination for individual gains. They are spreading rumours and fear among people against the use of modern medicine,” she said.
Sakeena stressed for a positive information flow in the district. “An expert group of IT professionals and tech-savvy people should be formed so that innovative messages are spread. Strict action should be taken against those spreading lies,” she said. As for the ongoing MR vaccination drive, the government has agreed to give extension for Malappuram, Sakeena said.
“The government should allow us to continue with the vaccination drive along with other health programmes. It should also appoint more staff,” she said.