Nagpur: Pulse polio drive received a good response despite Covid-19 fears on Sunday, with more than 3.76 lakh kids under 5 years of age receiving polio dose at various booths in district. However, this number is way less than the target, which was more than 4.71 lakh in the district. Those who missed the dose will get it in the next door-to-door campaign phase, which will start from February 2.
Officials from the health department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation informed that 1,92,387 kids have received polio dose in city at 1,529 booths across the city. This is nearly 70% of the target for Nagpur city, which was 2,76,413.
Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, who formally inaugurated the drive by immunizing baby Ananya Pathak in Mahal health centre, said NMC will cover entire 100% target of the kids in next few days.
“Booths were installed in hospitals, schools, temples, public places and community centres across the city on Sunday. From February 2 onwards, our health workers will pay house-to-house visits and ensure that every eligible child gets immunized,” he said. Deputy mayor Manisha Dhawade, additional commissioner Ram Joshi, officials of NMC health department, and local corporators were present at the formal inaugural function.
In Nagpur rural, 1,52,616 children were immunized by the district health officer (DHO) while 31,408 kids were given polio dose under the civil surgeon’s office. Total 1.84 lakh kids got the polio dose. Including Nagpur city, total 3,872 booths were set up in the district. Total 8,487 employees and staffers of the health department worked through the day. As far as Nagpur city is concerned, 18 mobile vans, and 88 transit teams ensured the immunization.
From February 2 to 6, health officials will visit more than 7.42 lakh houses in the city and immunize kids who have missed the vaccine on Sunday.