Expensive Pneumococcal Vaccines to be administered free of cost at Delhi govt hospitals: CM Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi:Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday flagged off the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination Program at the Aam Aadmi Polyclinic in Paschim Vihar, Delhi. The vaccine will protect children from diseases like Pneumonia, Meningitis and Sepsis among other diseases. The vaccine that usually costs between Rs. 1,500 to 6,000 will be administered for free at Delhi government’s centres and each child will get 3 doses at specified time periods. The CM also informed that there were no plans for reopening schools in Delhi, unlike neighbouring states, as it can risk the lives of children. Health Minister Shri Satyendar Jain was also present for the launch.

Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal encouraged parents to get their children vaccinated and said, “Today we are flagging off this new kind of vaccination program. Till now children of Delhi were administered vaccines for 12 diseases. From today we are administering vaccines for Pneumonia that will protect children from the disease. Earlier children under the age of 5 were gravely affected by Pneumonia, there were even deaths recorded, this vaccine will protect children from death. Not only Pneumonia, but the vaccine will also protect children from diseases like Meningitis and Sepsis.” 

“The first vaccine has been administered at this center, today. There are 600 such centres where the vaccination will be held for children,” the CM added. 

Shri Kejriwal said, “This is a very expensive injection. It costs between Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 6,000 and each child needs three doses. Naturally, it is unaffordable for the common public, so the Delhi Government will provide it for free at its centres. This a step forward toward Delhi Government’s resolve to improve and strengthen the healthcare system and infrastructure of Delhi.”

On being asked about the COVID-19 vaccination program, the CM said, “the Delhi Government is vaccinating at maximum capacity in Delhi. We administer as many vaccines as we can whenever we receive them. As many vaccines as we receive from the central government, we administer them at the earliest.”

Talking about the question of reopening of schools in Delhi, the CM refused the idea of reopening schools in Delhi, unlike other neighbouring states. “Internationally, there’s a trend of resurgence of COVID-19 through a third wave; thus, until the vaccination process does not get completed for everyone, we can not risk the lives of children,” he said.

Health Minister Shri Satyendar Jain while addressing the media said, “this is a very expensive vaccination which would usually cost around Rs 1,500 to 6000 at a private hospital. The Delhi Government is starting this program at 600 centres for free to protect children from the risk of serious illnesses and death.”

About the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine:

The PCV will reduce the risk of pneumonia in young children and also reduce the frequency of trips to the hospital. 

The vaccine will be administered in 3 doses, given at 1½ months age, 3½ months age and 9 months age of the child. 

Pneumococcal diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 2 years of age and the PCV will protect such children.