In Assam, a special adult vaccination drive for Japanese Encephalitis has been launched in highly endemic Sibsagar district of the State today. State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma launched the programme by vaccinating himself at Geleky Border Primary Health Centre this morning. The vaccination programme, first of its kind in the country, will continue till 30th November next. It will cover people between the age-group of 15 to 65 in both rural and urban areas of the district. The Sibsagar district health authority has targeted to cover around eight lakh adult persons under this special vaccination programme. Official reports said 496 persons suffered from Japanese encephalitis disease in the State during the monsoon and summer seasons this year. Of these, 114 persons died. Sibsagar district recorded highest death of 57.