Chandigarh, April 25:

Haryana Government has made international shooter, Ms Gauri Sheoran as brand ambassador for its Measles and Rubella Mega Vaccination Campaign in the state.

This was announced by the Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal at the launch of Measles and Rubella Mega Vaccination Campaign here today. Under this campaign, vaccination of about 80 lakh children in the age group of nine months to 15 years would be carried out. He also flagged off 11 Medical Mobile Units for success of this campaign.

Congratulating the Health Minister, Mr Anil Vij and officers of Central Government and State Health Department for this significant initiative, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi has launched a number of campaigns to make the future of youth bright. Under this, a target has been fixed to eliminate measles and control rubella in the country by year 2020. He also directed the officers of Health Department and National Health Mission to ensure 100 per cent vaccination under this campaign.

He said that immunization services has been improved considerably in the state as a result of which Haryana has brought down its infant mortality rate (under 5) by 6 points from 43 per 1000 in year 2016 to 37 per 1000 live births.

Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GAVI Alliance, Mrs Anuradha Gupta said that this is world’s largest vaccination campaign after Indonesia and Haryana has done much better in Health sector than the national average. She said that this campaign would prove beneficial for children and women.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Mr R.R.Jowel also spoke on this occasion. He also said the targets given to the state under this campaign would be achieved in one month’s period.

Mission Director, National Health Mission, Mrs. Amneet P. Kumar gave a presentation about the Measles and Rubella Mega Vaccination Campaign on this occasion.