Delhi Govt Hospitals Likely to Have Adult Vaccination Clinics: Health Minister
New Delhi: In a move to enhance preventive healthcare, the Delhi government is set to establish adult vaccination clinics across its public hospitals, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced on Friday. Highlighting the significance of adult immunisation, Singh stated that the initiative aims to bolster public health and ensure community well-being through accessible vaccination services.
Speaking at the inauguration of an adult vaccination clinic at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla Road, the Health Minister emphasised the pivotal role of vaccines in safeguarding individuals from preventable diseases. “Preventive healthcare is the need of the hour, and vaccination plays a vital role in strengthening public health systems,” Singh remarked. He added that similar clinics would soon be launched in Delhi government hospitals to make essential vaccines easily accessible, thereby improving public health outcomes.
The newly inaugurated adult vaccination clinic at Fortis Escorts Hospital focuses on providing a comprehensive range of immunisation services targeted at adults and the elderly. The clinic offers vaccines for Influenza, Hepatitis A & B, Pneumococcal infections, Typhoid, Herpes Zoster (Shingles), among others. These vaccines are crucial in protecting individuals against vaccine-preventable diseases, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable adult populations.
Dr. R.S. Mishra, Principal Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Escorts, also highlighted the importance of adult immunisation. “While childhood immunisation is well-recognised, adult vaccination often remains neglected despite its significance in preventing serious illnesses. Our aim is to raise awareness and provide preventive care for adults to curb the risk of avoidable diseases,” he said.
In addition to strengthening preventive care through vaccination, the Delhi government is also focusing on expanding healthcare benefits. Earlier this week, the government announced its plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central government on April 10 to bring the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to Delhi residents.
Under this scheme, the Delhi government aims to enrol one lakh residents within a month, providing health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. This will allow eligible residents to access treatment at private hospitals, further improving healthcare accessibility and financial protection for the population.
Nidhi Srivastava is a dietician. She holds a post-graduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from MRIIRS. With a profound passion for utilizing nutrition and lifestyle modifications to manage diseases, she is dedicated to advancing the field through rigorous research and fact-checking. Her expertise lies in evidence-based practice, ensuring the highest standards of dietary health and wellness.