National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme

Aim: to decrease the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency

Objective:

1. Prevention of vitamin A deficiency

• Promoting consumption of Vitamin A-rich food –promotion of regular dietary intake of Vitamin A-rich foods by all pregnant and lactating women and by children under 5 years of age by increasing local production and consumption of green leafy vegetables and other plant foods that are rich sources of carotenoids.
• Creating awareness about the importance of preventing Vitamin A deficiency– among the women attending Antenatal clinics, and immunization session, as well as women and children registered under ICDS programme.
• Prophylactic Vitamin A as per the following dosage schedule:
• 100000 IU at 9 months with measles immunization
• 200000 IU at 16-18 months, with a DPT booster
• 200000 IU every 6 months, up to the age of 5 years.

Thus, a total of 9 mega doses are to be given from 9 months of age up to 5 years.

2. Treatment of Vitamin A deficient children
   1. All children with xerophthalmia are to be treated at health facilities. (As early as possible) – 2 lakh IU immediately followed by 2 lakh IU 1-4 weeks later
   2. All children having measles, are to be given 1 dose of Vitamin A if they have not received it in the previous month.
   3. All cases of severe malnutrition are to be given one additional dose of Vitamin A.