Pulse polio immunisation in two phases in Karnataka

To create awareness on the upcoming pulse polio drive among citizens, a rally was organised by the BBMP and the Rotary Club on Friday.

Nursing students, doctors, accredited social health activists (ASHA) workers and the BBMP staff marched from the Mahatma Gandhi statue on MG Road to the BBMP head office as a part of the drive. Pamphlets were distributed among the public informing them to administer children in the age group of 0-5 years with pulse polio drops. 

Mayor G Padmavathi who flagged off the drive said that polio cases had been reported at Afghanistan and Pakistan. “The pulse polio immunisation campaign had proved to be successful in India so far. Though no fresh cases has been reported in the last five years, we need to be alert.”

She said polio booths and centres had been set up across 198 wards in the Palike limits, besides anganwadi centres, malls, metro stations, railway stations and private nursing homes. “I appeal to parents to ensure that their children are administered polio drops,” she added.

The state will go in for two rounds of pulse polio immunisation - from April 2 to 5 in the first phase and from April 30 to May 3 in the second phase. The drops will be administered between 8 am and 5 pm on April 2 and April 30. And on rest of days, drops will be administered to those who have missed out through door-to-door campaign.

MR vaccination

Principal secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department Shalini Rajneesh said that Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine immunisation campaign had been successful with 98.83% of children being administered with the vaccine in February and March. “The highest number of children administered with MR vaccine is at Ballari with the number standing at 1,30,4854,” she said.

Bengaluru statistics

Polio booths and centres in City: 3,350 Polio mobile teams: 427 Health workers under the campaign: 13,400 Supervisors: 670 Target to reach: 10,72,204 children

State statistics Polio booths and centres in Karnataka: 32,617Polio teams: 51,732Mobile teams: 1,020 Health workers under the campaign: 1,03,464