Pulse Polio immunisation drive in Mysuru exceeds target

The Pulse Polio immunisation drive, which began across the district on December 21, administered polio drops to 2,25,128 children, exceeding its target of 2,22,084 children on the first day.

Over 1,600 booths had been set up across the district to administer polio drops to children below five years. As part of the campaign, more than 4,000 personnel, including doctors and taluk health officers, had been deployed in teams, according to District Health Officer Dr. Kumaraswamy P.C.

The immunisation drive, taken up jointly by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, and Department of Health and Family Welfare, was formally launched at Vani Vilas Maternity Hospital in Jayalakshmipuram, with Harish Gowda, Chamaraja MLA, administering polio drops to the children.

Apart from the targeted children in Mysuru district, a large number of visitors and tourists too availed the opportunity to get their children immunised.

The Pulse Polio campaign will continue till December 24, with health teams visiting households to administer the vaccine to children who missed the opportunity.

The authorities, who are planning to hold a special campaign at transmit points and high-risk areas, have appealed to parents to ensure that every child below five years gets vaccinated without fail.

Steps will also be taken to identify children from migrant families and vaccinate them.

Meanwhile, similiar Pulse Polio immunisation campaigns were held in Kodagu, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar.

In Kodagu, the polio drops were administered to a total of 34,736 children — 31,100 in rural Kodagu and 3,636 in urban Kodagu. The campaign there registered a coverage of 106.2%.

In Mandya, Deputy Commissioner Kumar launched the Pulse Polio immunisation drive at the public hospital in Malavalli while Ravikumar P., Mandya MLA, kickstarted the campaign at the Government Higher Primary School in Kalahalli.

In Chamarajanagar, the campaign was launched by Mona Roat, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, by administering polio drops to children at the primary health centre in Venkatayyanachatra.