Amaravati, Aug 25 (IANS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday launched Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) drive aimed at preventing pneumonia in infants.

A month-old baby was vaccinated in the presence of Reddy as part of kicking off the drive.

"Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions for the protection of children from serious health conditions, which are preventable and can reduce child mortality," the Chief Minister said.

He said that PCV is a safe and effective vaccine which is administered in three doses to infants at the age of 6 weeks, 14 weeks and 40 weeks.

The PCV drive is aimed at preventing pneumonia in children, which is a major cause of infant and child mortality.

With the latest addition of PCV, the southern state is now providing 10 types of vaccines for children.

Annually, the state organises 6 lakh routine immunisation sessions with the help of 17,000 ANMs.