Huge response for Hepatitis-B vaccine in Gujarat

Modasa (Gujarat), Feb 24: More and more people are turning up for a vaccination drive launched in Modasa town of Gujarat after an outbreak of Hepatitis-B.

The dreaded disease has claimed close to 43 lives within a fortnight in Sabarkantha district.

Doctors said people of all age groups were being vaccinated against the disease.

"As per the protocol, right from infants to ten-year-old children, we are giving 1.5 mm paediatric dose. Those who are above ten, we are given one mm dose.

We have deployed our five women workers for the vaccination drive.

Everything is going smoothly," said VN Vyas, a doctor.

People expressed relief that some action was being taken to contain the disease.

"Before taking the vaccination, I was apprehensive, but now I am feeling good. The government has done a good job though they have taken the preventive measures very late. Everybody has taken the injection. We would like to thank the government," said Neha, a resident

The vaccination will be carried out in three phases. While the second doze will be administered after 30 days, third dose will be given after 60 days.

Earlier, state health minister told the state legislature that 224 medical teams were deployed in the district.

Simultaneously, the heath authorities have also circulated 30,000 pamphlets and launched a public awareness campaign to create awareness on Hepatitis-B.

ANI