Media Engagement In Haryana To Bring Mass Awareness Around Pentavalent Vaccine

The role of media is well established when it comes to reach and connect to the masses, the most effective tools of bringing mass awareness around any issue. Therefore, engaging media is always considered as an important requisite while initiating something novel especially pertaining to public health interventions, like vaccination.

Considering the fact, state of Haryana, the first in north India to launch pentavalent vaccine as part of state immunization programme, in association with UNICEF and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) organised a workshop to engage health editors from local and national media.

The media engagement workshop around pentavalent vaccine was highly acclaimed among the fraternity; it not only helped them understand the concept, rationale and logic of pentavalent vaccine in Indian setting but also allowed them to clarify their doubts and queries around it.  

Engaging journalists at grass root level is crucial to counter biased reporting in cases of Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI). Reporting, not based on scientific validation, could lead to panic and lack of trust among the masses. On the other hand, if the writer is well aware of the issues revolving around the vaccine, he or she can actually help in saving the endeavor from getting off the track.

The role of the media professional, in this case, would be to go beyond just providing information and extend to creating an acceptance among the masses by informing and engaging them.