Two additional vaccines have been added to the National Immunisation Schedule.
The newly added vaccines are the pneumococcal vaccine and the rotavirus vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccine gives protection against pneumonia and meningitis, while rotavirus vaccine helps prevent diarrhoea and frequent vomiting. Both vaccines will be administered to children at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months of age.
Speaking to PSM News, Immunisation Programme Director Nashiya Abdul Ghafoor said the two vaccines will be incorporated into the national schedule from 10 December. Until now, the two vaccines were only available privately as optional vaccines. However, it will now be administered in the same manner as all routine vaccines. The vaccine will be available at vaccine centres free of charge, as they are now covered by Aasandha with their inclusion in the national schedule.