Adult TB vaccination campaign to commence in six districts of HP from Jan 2024

Shivanshu Shukla

The Newz Radar

A one-day training workshop was organized in the Kangra district for health officials, block program managers, and senior technicians in preparation for the Adult TB Vaccination Campaign set to kick off in January 2024 across six districts of Himachal Pradesh – Mandi, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur. Dr. Sushil Kumar Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Kangra, presided over the workshop, with operational guidance provided by Dr. Ravinder Salakar from the World Health Organization and Dr. Usha.

District Health Officer Dr. Rajesh Kumar Sood and Program Officer Dr. Vandana highlighted the eligibility criteria for vaccination, targeting TB patients from the past five years, contacts of TB patients from the last three years, severely underweight individuals, smokers, diabetic patients, and those aged 60 and above. Exclusions included individuals below 18, those unable to provide consent, individuals currently undergoing TB treatment, and those with serious illnesses or pregnancy/nursing.

Additionally, a District Task Force meeting, chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Saurabh Jasl, emphasized the importance of departmental collaboration to raise awareness at the grassroots level about the efficacy of adult TB vaccination in preventing the disease. Dr. Sushil Kumar Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Kangra, expressed optimism about the success of the upcoming vaccination campaign.