Jharkhand will soon become the 10th state to introduce the Rotavirus vaccine in the Universal Immunization programme (UIP). This was stated by Nidhi Khare, Principal Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare GoJ at a press conference in Suchna Bhawan (IPRD), Ranchi on Tuesday.

In 2016, Government of India introduced the Rotavirus vaccine in the UIP in a phased manner to protect children against diarrhea caused by Rotavirus. So far, Rotavirus vaccine has been successfully introduced in nine states of the country namely Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Asam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis), leading to severe diarrhea in infants and children throughout the world.

The press conference was also attended by Dr. Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of UNICEF Jharkhand; Dr. Sumant Mishra, Director in Chief, Department of Health & Family Welfare, GoJ; Dr. Ajit Prasad, Department of Health & Family Welfare, GoJ; among others.