AGARTALA, May 24 (TIWN): With an aim to protect children from Japanese encephalitis, Tripura from Saturday has begun launch immunization programme against Japanese Encephalitis in West District of the state. Children between 1 - 15 years of age will be vaccinated in the first phase. Medical officers along with Asha and Anganwadi workers are being trained to assist the people of the chosen areas.

West District, Sipahijala District and Khowai District of the state would be brought under the banner of the vaccination programme adopted by the state govt. This initiative is taken to protect the state from further attack of this virus.  Daily report will be prepared from Sub-divisional hospital, primary health centre and rural hospital and will be sent to District level. Further the report will be forwarded to the state level then to the National level.

As a part of the regular programme children between 9-12 months will be vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine and the second dose will be provided at the age between 16 – 24 years along with D. P. T and Polio booster dose. The vaccination would be carried out at the schools and primary health centres of the district.

Over 500 patients were recorded as affected with Japanese Encephalitis in 2013-14 fiscal year. Japanese encephalitis, a mosquito-borne viral infection, is the most common cause of viral encephalitis in eastern Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), affecting 171 districts and claiming hundreds of lives every year.

 Mortality is higher among children and thousands of them in this area have been rendered disabled by it. During the year 2013 India launched its first indigenous vaccine to protect children from Japanese encephalitis.