A convergence meeting on strengthening routine immunisation was held at the Conference Hall of the Chief Medical Officer’s office in Mokokchung on October 16, bringing together government departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss ways to improve vaccination coverage.
The meeting was organised by the TATTVA Foundation and UNICEF.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Takosunep Ao, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung, highlighted the collective responsibility of stakeholders in protecting children through vaccination.
Dr Limanaro, District Programme Officer (UIP and RCH), Mokokchung, gave a detailed presentation on the benefits of routine immunisation and the minor side effects that may follow vaccination. She identified lack of awareness and ignorance as major reasons for vaccine hesitancy and urged stakeholders to take ownership of efforts to educate communities.
She stressed that strengthening routine immunisation was not solely the responsibility of the Medical Department, but required coordinated efforts from allied departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to safeguard public health.
Wapang Imsong, District Coordinator of the TATTVA Foundation, presented the routine immunisation situation in the GAVI intervention block and highlighted reasons why some children in the community remained unvaccinated.
The meeting also held discussions on how the Education Department, Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mokokchung Municipal Council, churches and civil society organisations could support immunisation through their routine activities.
The meeting was attended by representatives of allied departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, along with District Programme Management Unit (DPMU) personnel and staff of the Chief Medical Officer’s office.
