Pyuthan, May 16 : The routine immunisation schedule which was interrupted by lockdown against the COVID-19 has resumed in Pyuthan. Vaccinations for several sorts of diseases have begun in two phases bearing in mind the health of children and expectant mothers.    
The District Public Health Office said now 21 health institutions of four rural municipalities (Jhimruk, Gaumukhi, Nau Bahini and Malla Rani ) have started administering routine vaccines to children and pregnant women under the first phase, according to the District Public Health Office. There are nine local levels in the district.    
The routine immunisation schedule includes vaccines against 11 sorts of diseases on children including BCG, DPT, polio, Hepatitis B, measles-rubella, PCV, Japanese Encephalitis and the TD vaccine for expectant mothers. The schedule was suspended throughout the month of Baisakh (mid April-mid May) due to the COVID-19 crisis.    
The office decided to resume the programme as per the direction of Ministry of Health and Population. The government decided to re-start the vaccination bearing in mind the adverse impact on child and mother's health due to interrupted course.    
Health workers have taken safety measures against coronavirus to administer vaccines, said District Public Health Cold Chain inspector Kaushalaraj Baidya. The first-phase immunisations which kicked off Friday will continue till March 19 and the second-phase takes place in remaining five local levels from March 22 to 26. Around 6,000 children will be benefited with the campaign, it is said.