Second round of polio immunisation drive across state today

The second round of polio immunisation will take place from April 30 (Sunday) across the state. As many as 32,617 booths have been set up to immunise children of up to five years of age.

The first round of Pulse Polio National Immunisation took place from April 2 with a target of around 73.39 lakh. Total coverage after house-to-house activity was 74.23 lakh.

According to a senior official with the department of health and family welfare, the increase in numbers is because of the presence of children from neighbouring states during the drive within Karnataka besides vaccinations on those travelling by trains.

While the first round would provide immunisation against the disease, the second round of immunisation would act as a booster dose. Hence, all children who were vaccinated in the first round would be immunised again. A total of  51,732 teams comprising 1.03 lakh vaccinators would be part of the drive. In urban areas, the first day would see vaccination at designated centres or booths. This would be followed up by house-to-house visits for the next three days. In rural areas, house-to-house visits would be done for two days.

As many as 1,020 mobile teams and 1, 737 transit teams have been formed for the drive. India received a certificate for eradication of polio in 2014. However, as neighbouring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan have the virus, India has to continue vaccination.

Every child below five years of age should receive two drops of Oral Polio Vaccine during both the rounds. Polio is an acute viral illness causing paralysis and deaths in children.