MLAMKSomashekar inaugurated the first phase of pulse polio drive by administering polio drops to a child at Jayanagar Primary Health Care Centre in the city on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Somashekar said that though polio has been eradicated in the country since 2014, the immunisation drive should be conducted on a regular basis to prevent spreading of the virus from foreign nationals who visit the country.

District Health Officer (DHO) Dr BBasavaraju said that the district administration has set a target to administer polio vaccination to 2.63 lakh children in the district. A three-day drive will be conducted by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Health department from January 28. While the authorities have identified a total of 1,11,630 children below five years of age in Mysuru rural, 1,51,850 children in the city are to be administered polio drops, he said.

In all, 1,588 centres have been established across the district and 6,352 personnel have been deputed for the drive. On the first day, polio drops will be administered at the centres and the staff will make door-to-door visits on the second and third day of the drive.

In addition, 27 mobile centres have been set up at public places such as bus stand and railway station.

Three mobile booths have been set up to visit hamlets and villages, he said.

Mysuru Mayor BBhagyavathi, ZPmember Jayalakshmi Rajanna and others were present.

Districts

Deputy Commissioner N Manjushri launched the pulse polio drive to be held from January 28 to 31 in Mandya on Sunday. In all, 1,35,876 children will be administered polio drops and around 723 booths have been established across the district, the DCsaid.

District-in-charge Minister A Manju administered pulse polio drops to a child and launched the drive in Hassan. In all, 1,23,420 children below five years of age will be covered under the drive.

MLA C Puttarangashetty launched the pulse polio drive in Chamarajanagar, on Sunday.

The district administration has set a target to cover 75,000 children in three days, he said.