Bhatkal: State Minister and Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Mankal S. Vaidya officially launched the pulse polio immunisation drive on Sunday by administering polio drops to children at the meeting hall of Nichalmakki Venkataraman Temple in the Asarakeri area of Bhatkal town.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Vaidya said the government is making continuous efforts to completely eradicate the deadly polio disease and stressed that public cooperation is crucial for the success of the campaign. He said special emphasis has been laid on ensuring that no child below the age of five is deprived of the polio vaccine and that vaccination teams are therefore reaching households through door-to-door campaigns.

The minister appealed to parents not to show any hesitation, confusion or negligence and to ensure that their children are administered polio drops without fail. He informed that the campaign will continue till December 24. He also lauded the dedicated services of doctors from the health department, ASHA workers and Anganwadi staff, who are working with commitment to make the campaign successful.

Assistant commissioner launches pulse polio drive in Sirsi

In Sirsi, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Kavya Rani inaugurated the national pulse polio programme by administering polio drops to children at Kasturba School. Speaking on the occasion, she said a target has been set to administer polio vaccine to 1,04,581 children below the age of five across Uttara Kannada district.

To achieve this target, 878 vaccination booths have been set up across the district, along with 33 transit teams and 9 mobile teams. A total of 3,591 vaccination workers and 200 supervisors have been deployed for the campaign.

She noted that although India has been declared polio-free, parents must continue to vaccinate their children as a preventive measure and extend full cooperation to ensure the success of the pulse polio campaign.