The Department of Community Medicine at Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS IMS) Bareilly organized an enthusiastic Guest Lecture & Panel Discussion on ‘Vaccination & Immunization Programmes in India’ on March 2, 2023, which remained one of the valuable and insightful academic events of the institution.
The event kick-started with a lamp lighting ceremony by the Chief Guest, Dr Narendra K Arora (MBBS, MD, FIAP), Executive Director-INCLEN Trust International & Chairman-NTAGI, who was also the Panel Chairman of the event.
During his special address, Dr Narendra gave a thoughtful Guest Lecture on the topic ‘Journey so far and future of Vaccination and Immunization Programmes in India’, wherein he described the journey of Immunization Programmes in India, and all milestones achieved by this programme till date. As a Chairman of National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI), Dr Narendra also emphasized on various challenges that are faced in implementation of this programme, and success stories and roadmap of all the recent vaccines developed to combat against vaccine preventable diseases. He discussed about upcoming vaccines, which will be rolled out in near future in govt immunization programmes, and focused on Zero dose approach for vaccinating infants in India. As Chairman of Covid 19 National Task Force Committee, he also briefed about development of indigenous vaccines against Covid 19 in India.
The event had a Panel Discussion on ‘Roles, Scope, Hopes and Concerns to stakeholders for Strengthening Vaccination Programmes in India’, which was moderated by Dr Abhinav Pandey, Assistant Professor at Department of Community Medicine and was chaired by Dr Narendra K Arora. The panelists for this session who shared their expertise on the topic and various aspects of adult vaccination, vaccination of females to prevent from Carcinoma Cervix and public health aspects of vaccination programmes were Dr Atul Kr Agarwal, Renowned Senior Pediatrician and Neonatologist; Professor Dr Clarence J Samuel, Vice Principal and Prof & Head–Department of Community Medicine at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana; Dr Akhileshwar Singh, Divisional Surveillance Officer; Dr Smita Gupta, Professor & Head—Department of General Medicine, SRMSIMS; Dr Mridu Sinha, Professor of Department of Obstetrics & Gynae, SRMS IMS; and Dr Surabhi Chandra, Prof & Head—Department of Pediatrics, SRMS IMS.
This was followed by an interactive session, which ended with an ‘Open House Discussion & Vote of Thanks by Dr Amarjeet Singh, Prof & Head—Department of Community Medicine, SRMS IMS.
Later, Dr Narendra K Arora and other dignitaries presented certificates of appreciation and mementos to bring the session to an end. Dr Sugandhi Sharma, Assistant Professor from Department of Community Medicine being the MOC conducted the event smoothly. Aditya Murti, Director Administration SRMS IMS & Secretary SRMS Trust; Dr SB Gupta, Principal, SRMS IMS; Dr MS Butola, Principal Designate; Dr RP Singh, Professor Community Medicine & Medical Superintendent, SRMS IMS; along with faculties, doctors, MBBS students, nurses, pediatricians from various hospitals and authorities from various organizations like ADRA, WHO and UNICEF graced the event.
