Polio vaccination drive on March 11

BHUBANESWAR: As part of a nation-wide campaign, a polio vaccination drive would be conducted in the Government schools of the State on March 11.The School and Mass Education Department has asked the District Education Officers (DEOs), District Project Coordinators of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and all Block Education Officers (BEOs) to take initiatives for maximum coverage.

The decision was taken following a direction from the Union Ministry of Human Resources Department.
On the recommendation of the India Expert Advisory Group on Polio eradication, Department of Health and Family Welfare has decided to conduct the vaccination campaign during which children under five years of age and irrespective of their previous immunisation status would be administered the vaccine.

All schools have been advised to ensure that special efforts are made for publicity through rallies by school children for mobilising families to the immunisation booths on the immunisation day. Booths will be set up in all schools wherever requested and messages sent to the community through the school students for mobilisation of the children to the vaccination booths. “We need to remain vigilant and maintain the population immunity along with sensitive surveillance till global polio eradication happens. As polio virus is still circulating in endemic countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria from where people travel to and from India, it poses treat of resurgence or reinfection,” said a health official.