Vaccination is taking place daily in 19 health institutions.

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Under the Adult BCG vaccination program initiated for TB eradication, vaccination is being carried out daily in 19 health institutions in the district. Individuals in 6 different categories aged 18 and above are being vaccinated under the program. In line with the Prime Minister’s call, TB elimination from India by 2025 is targeted, with adult BCG vaccination being initiated. The vaccine is being administered to children as part of regular vaccination programs. As per model studies, TB vaccination could reduce TB cases by up to 17% annually. Six different categories of individuals, including those with a history of TB in the last 5 years, close contacts of TB patients, individuals over 60 years of age, smokers, diabetic patients, and underweight or malnourished individuals, are included in adult TB vaccination. Vaccinators are issuing TB vaccination certificates via the TB Win portal, akin to the CoWIN platform. Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Bhopal, stated that the BCG vaccine is entirely safe and protects children from severe forms of TB. An additional dose of the BCG vaccine in adults can enhance their immune response, providing protection against TB for the next 10 to 15 years. Health workers are administering these vaccines at the grassroots level, and the facility for daily vaccination is also available in 19 health institutions in the district. These health institutions include AIIMS, Hamidia Hospital, Jayaprakash District Hospital, Civil Hospital Bairagarh, Jawaharlal Nehru Gas Relief Hospital, Indira Gandhi Hospital, Civil Hospital Berasia, Community Health Center Kolar, Community Health Center Gandhinagar, Kasturba Hospital BHEL, Primary Health Center Misrod, Civil Dispensary Anand Nagar, Civil Dispensary Kamla Nagar, Civil Dispensary Panchsheel, Civil Dispensary 1100 Quarter, Urban Primary Health Center Kolua Kala, Urban Primary Health Center Gulabi Nagar, Urban Primary Health Center Ashoka Garden, and People’s Hospital.