KATHMANDU: Shuklaphanta municipality has achieved the distinction of being declared a fully immunized local level, meeting all necessary criteria to earn this status. Parama Nand Bhatt, the health section chief of the municipality, confirmed that all children under the age of 15 months have received complete vaccinations, leading to the municipality's recognition as fully immunized.

Bhatt further explained that a study was conducted to assess the immunization status of children aged between 16 to 23 months. Out of the total eligible children, 2,978 have been fully immunized. However, he noted that fifty children missed out on vaccinations due to reasons such as family migration and changes in labor circumstances.

Highlighting a concern, Bhatt emphasized that children of daily wage earners at brick kilns were at risk of infectious diseases because they had not received vaccinations. He stressed the importance of vaccination in protecting children from communicable diseases, mentioning that vaccines administered cover a range of illnesses including tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio, measles, and others.

District Coordination Committee Chief Durga Datt Bohara underscored that children have a fundamental right to health and deserve access to immunization as guaranteed by the constitution. Similarly, Municipality Mayor Rana Bahadur Mahara emphasized the effectiveness of the immunization program in preventing disease spread among children. He assured that efforts would be made to locate and ensure vaccination for children who missed out during the drive.

Deputy Mayor Kalpana Pant emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen essential services, particularly immunization, ensuring that all children receive the necessary vaccinations to safeguard their health and well-being.