The office said that a separate guideline has been prepared and the ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has also allocated budget for implementing the program.
The CHD believes that the program would raise awareness among people about the importance of immunization. [break]
"Several eligible VDCs will be declared fully immunized this year," said Giriraj Subedi, chief of Immunization Section at CHD. He said that the program aims to cover the 13 percent children who are usually left out during regular immunization programs. The National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) has shown that 13 percent children aged less than five years do not get complete vaccines.
The survey also showed that three percent of children as completely deprived of any vaccines.The children of a VDC have to get all vaccines for it to be declared as fully immunized VDC. "No children of a VDC should miss a single dose of vaccine to get certified as completely immunized," he added. The ministry will provide certificate to the VDCs. The VDCs that qualify to be declared as fully immunized will also get special incentives from the government.
Subedi said that the office has already sought commitment from all VDCS across the country to make the campaign successful. According to Subedi, immunization registers would be maintained properly and additional duties would be assigned to female community health volunteers (FCHVs) to make sure that no children miss the vaccines.
"Our FCHVs will reach every household. If they report some children missing vaccines, additional program will be launched in those VDCs to ensure 100 percent coverage," he added. The office said that the VDC office will conduct a separate survey to confirm the report before providing certification.
The office aims to immunize over 90 percent children by 2016 to achieve its target under the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).
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