The state health minister of UP has announced a vaccination drive on April 1st in 38 districts of the state, that will provide immunization to at least 33 lakh children against the Japanese Encephalitis virus and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.

At least 33 lakh children in 38 districts of Uttar Pradesh will be vaccinated against the deadly Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) virus, Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh informed the state Assembly on 26 March. The vaccination drive, named "Dastak", would be launched on April 1, he said during the Question Hour.

The state government has earmarked Rs 20 crore from its budget and another Rs 78 crore from the National Health Mission (NHM) funds in 2017-18 for the purpose, Singh said. Responding to supplementaries, the minister said 5,500 doctors were appointed in the last one year to provide better medical facilities in the state, particularly in the rural areas.