Modasa's Vaccination Drive Taking Hepatitis Seriously

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

Following the deadly Hepatitis-B outbreak in Modasa, Gujarat, more and more residents are responding to the vaccination drive launched in town.

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

Hepatitis B-Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-Vaccination-FAQs
Hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus.

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.

Hepatitis A - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Hepatitis A is the most benign of the hepatitis viruses and usually has no long term side effects. Hepatitis A vaccine is available that is 95% effective in preventing the disease.

Everything is going smoothly," said V.N Vyas, a doctor.

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

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US officials Thursday said 40,000 people may have been infected with HIV and hepatitis in a major health scare after a Las Vegas clinic was found to have re-used syringes and medicine vials.

"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.

500,000 Chinese Die of Hepatitis B Annually
China has the world's largest population of hepatitis B patients, said an official of the Chinese Hepatitis Prevention Foundation (HPF) here.

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.

Source-ANI
TAN/L