Indian Armed Forces will start a vaccination programme among their new recruits to prevent spread of two diseases, including one affecting the brain. Lieutenant General Mandeep Singh, Director General Hospital Services of the Armed Forces said that immunisation shots against meningococal meningitis and chicken pox will be administered to the recruits as a preventive measure.

Meningococal Meningitis can be fatal as this disease affects the brain. Military recruits are known to be a high risk population for this disease as it is known to occur more commonly among crowded living conditions.

Nearly one lakh recruits are inducted into the Indian armed forces every year. Lt Gen Singh also said vaccinations will also be introduced for chicken pox because this disease too has serious complications.