As of now, the Operational costs (which include that for posters and banners, training nurses and Anganwadi workers etc) has amounted to Rs 19 Crores.

Chennai: Social media has come as a stumbling block for the state Public Health Department. Rumours on the side effects of Measles Rubella vaccine have served as a dampener to the department’s goal of vaccinating 1.8 crore children by February 28 due to which it was unable to even reach the halfway mark by Saturday.

With parents continuing to express fear over getting their children vaccinated, the department has now planned to extend the vaccination drive till March 14 to help reach its goal of covering 1.8 crore children.

Despite officials of the department claiming that the drive has been moving at a steady pace, barely 22.75 lakh children were covered in the previous week, indicating that less than five lakh children are being administered the vaccine on a daily basis.

“Initially, when the vaccination drive was kick-started, approximately nine lakh children were being administered the vaccine on a daily basis. However, after various rumours began doing the rounds on WhatsApp, including a false report of deaths in Madurai following the administration of the vaccine, many began to hesitate to come forward for the same,” said Dr Kolandaisamy, Director, Department of Public Health.

The extended two weeks of the campaign will follow a revised strategy, focusing on schools and Government Hospitals, wherein the vaccine will be administered between 8 am and 2 pm. “We are providing wider opportunities for parents in the hope that those who missed out for whatever reason until now can come forward for the same. We are aiming at covering the entire population of 1.8 crore children as the virus would keep circulating otherwise,” he added.

“It is essential to ensure protection to the entire community to prevent the disease from existing and spreading in the community,” said Pediatrician Dr Gowri M.

With the Health Department focusing on the aspects of providing education and service to society, it has been patiently educating the general public about the importance of getting vaccinated. “We are willing to answer the doubts put forth by parents. Problems being created by miscreants are not acceptable,” said a health official.