Date:12/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/12/stories/2006111217240300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Steps to make more meningitis vaccine available

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: The Health department is taking steps to make more meningitis vaccine shots available for Haj pilgrims. The department is contacting the Union Ministry of Foreign Affairs for getting an additional 5,000 doses of the vaccine, a statement issued by the Director of Health Services said. The Ministry has allotted only enough number of pilgrims for those who have registered their names with the State Haj committee

As per the list available with the Health department, 18,752 pilgrims have registered their names with the State Haj Committee and the private tour operators approved by the committee. However, the issue of shortage arose when pilgrims who have not registered their names also demanded the vaccine, the statement said.