Bajura, April 27

A nationwide immunisation campaign against Japanese encephalitis virus is set to begin in the far-west region from May 8.

More than 4 lakh children will be vaccinated against the virus in two phases. The immunisation campaign is slated to conclude on June 7.

The campaign will cover 47 districts in the hilly region while Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari will not be part of the national drive.

According to the Regional Health Directorate Dipayal Office, the campaign will cover seven hilly districts of the far-west barring Kailali and Kanchanpur.

“As many as 466,350 children between one to 15 years age will be immunised against Japanese encephalitis in seven districts,” said child health contact person of the directorate Tekraj Ojha.

The campaign aims to vaccinate 91,202 children in Achham; 50,151 in Dadeldhura; 46,878 in Darchula; 72,280 in Doti; 87,445 in Baitadi; 69,559 in Bajhang; and 48,371 in Bajura district.

As many as 3,137 vaccination centres will be set up in the seven districts where 1,077 health workers and 3,992 volunteers will be deployed.

District Public Health Office Bajura Chief Dr Mohan Nath said the first and second phase of the campaign will kick off in Bajura on May 8 and May 16 respectively.

According to Nath, the campaign will cover 14 VDCs and one municipality in the first phase and 10 VDCs in the second phase.

WHO Seti Zonal Supervisor Dr Rupesh Timilsena said the vaccination drive against Japanese encephalitis virus had been launched in other districts in the past.

The virus gets transmitted to humans from mosquitoes, pigs and birds.