AGARTALA, Aug 6 (TIWN): Along with the nation, state Tripura is also all set to kick off national deworming day on August.

State health department is to include rota virus vaccines as part of regular de-worming vaccines in the state. The vaccines will be administered to kids on national deworming day on August 8. The vaccine and deworming pills will be administered to kids under the age of 5 years.

This year on February 8, over 24000 teachers and 20000 Anganwadi workers had participated in the massive ‘deworming’ exercise slated on February 8. The day is being observed as ‘National Deworming Day’ in all parts of the country.

As part of this programme, all  theschools and anganwadis in Uttarakhand have been administering Albendazole tablets to children and adolescents aged  between one to 19 years.

A child not dewormed on National Deworming Day due to absenteeism or sickness will be dewormed on 'mop-up day' which would be observed on February 14.

Experts opine that the deworming with the safe and beneficial Albendazole tablet is an evidence- based, globally accepted and effective solution to control intestinal worm infections. Children who are out of school would be mobilised by ASHAs to be dewormed at Anganwadi centres on National Deworming Day. According to the doctors, the side effects from consuming Albendazole are rare and mild. It can include nausea, vomiting and dizziness, especially in the children with high worm loads.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, more than 22 crore children in ages of 5- 14 years are at risk of helminth infection.