Proposal for mass inoculation of schoolchildren hangs fire

Less than 0.025 per cent of the Commonwealth Games budget is what doctors in the city are asking for to stop the spread of the deadly H1N1 virus. And yet the status of the proposal, which can save hundreds of lives, remains 'under consideration'.

The situation calls for speedy action ufffd the National Institute of Virology calls the current wave of H1N1 infections the 'third peak' of swine flu.

IMA advice
Taking into account the rising number of deaths and the speed with which the H1N1 virus is spreading, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had advised the district collector to immunise at least 70 per cent of schoolkids.

The city has about six lakh schoolchildren, and immunising them would cost Rs 5.5 crore to Rs 6 crore.
Compared to the Rs 30,000 crore the country is splurging on the Delhi Commonwealth Games, it is difficult to understand why a fraction of that can not be put to use to prevent the spread of a virus that is claiming lives virtually every day in the city.

Kids most at risk
"The fastest transmission of the virus is seen in schoolchildren, and if 70 per cent of this susceptible population is immunised, then the spread of the virus can be brought to a standstill, or at least brought to its slowest point," said Dr Sharad Agharkhedkar, president of IMA, Pune chapter. "It is extremely important to do so before the Ganpati festival starts, as at least a lakh people will come to the city for it, leading to the virus spreading even more. Kids should get immunity before this."

Indecision
Health authorities are still undecided about the IMA proposal.

"We have asked all schools to follow basic safety precautions and are taking stock of the situation. But so far, there are no instructions to start immunisation of schoolkids at the government level, though parents have been advised to do it at the personal level," said Piraji Patil, deputy education officer, District Collectorate.

"There have been talks to take up mass vaccination." Officials from the state health department confirmed that discussions regarding immunisation of schoolchildren were being held at review meetings.