<span style="color: #222222;">Nagaland has become the eighth state in the North East to have introduced the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, PCV for children below five years of age in the state under the Universal Immunization programme.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Principal Director of Health Department Dr. Neikhrielie Khimiao officially rolled out the statewide PCV today at Primary Health Centre, Kohima Village.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Dr. Khimiao said, vaccines are the most effective way to prevent any infectious diseases. He said, infants and children are prone to many diseases, especially pneumonia and as such, the new vaccine PCV is developed to help protect the children. He said, the world have been combating with serious potentially deadly diseases since decades, however, it could be defeated with vaccines.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Dr. Khimiao said, when disease like small pox could be prevented with vaccine, it is necessary for all to get vaccinated for COVID-19 while following all the COVID Appropriate Behaviour.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">State Immunisation Officer Dr. Ritu Thurr said, the new vaccine PCV is to prevent deaths among the children under five years of age against Pneumococcal disease. He said, the vaccine is available in a liquid form which is injectible. He said, the child will be immunized with scheduled three doses of PVC at 1.5 months, 3.5 months and booster dose at nine months of age. The PVC is provided free of cost in all the government health centres of the country.   </span><br />