Karnataka launches statewide polio vaccination drive, targets over 62 lakh children

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the statewide polio vaccination drive on Sunday, administering drops to children under five at his official residence. 

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said polio drops were completely safe and urged parents to get their kids vaccinated. 

"These two drops are extremely important. Every child must get them without fail," he said. The door-to-door campaign is from Dec 22 to 24. 

“The target is 62,40,114 children, achieving 100% coverage," said Rao. In the state, 33,258 booths, 1,030 mobile teams, 1,096 transit teams, 1,13,115 vaccination workers and 7,322 supervisors have been deployed. 

The government has also launched 'Nearby Vaccination Centre Karnataka' app for parents to locate nearest centre. In Bengaluru, commissioners of the 5 corporations inaugurated the drive in their respective jurisdictions. 

Polio vaccination was carried out through booths set up in urban primary health centres, schools, Namma Clinics and anganwadi centres in the city.

Mobile teams have been deployed at bus stands, metro stations and other high-footfall locations.  At vaccination centres in the city, many parents were pleased with the quick assisted service. 

"We finished the process in just five minutes for our child,” said Parvathi Arun of Nayandahalli. Kishan Sampath of Hosakerehalli praised the GBA website that helps locate nearest centre. 

On Day One, 10,77,134 children were vaccinated under GBA limits, achieving 95% of the target.

The West Corporation recorded highest vaccinations, with 2,39,079 children under 5 years of age.