Pulse polio campaign from Jan 23

As part of the programme to Eradicate Polio, the government has decided to organise giving pulse polio drops to infants from January 23 to 26 and in the second round from February 27 to March 2, termed as National Immunisation days at a cost of Rs 18.67 crore.

 'Prevention is Better' is what Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy said while giving the information to the media persons at the Secretariat on Friday.

He specifically sought the media cooperation to increase the awareness among the people. 'That is our social obligation', said the Minister.

After five doses of administration of polio drops, the infants must be given another round of dose without fail to completely eradicate the chances of being affected by the dreaded disease.

Further, the Minister said that it was like small pox and emphasis was laid on certain crowded cities including Tirupati where there is a heavy flow of visitors, travellers and tourists.

The programme will begin with booth level immunisation followed by house to house visits by the field staff.

In the two rounds, seven cities under municipal corporations have been identified namely Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Guntur, Kurnool, Hyderabad and Warangal.

Due to the concerted efforts of the medical and non medical units there was a drop in polio cases from 741 in 2009 to 42 in 2010.

In view of these encouraging results the government has determined to achieve 'zero' polio status across the country in 2011.

Over 63,000 polio booths supported by 1864 mobile teams will operate to cover a wide range of areas with special focus on fishermen in the state.

In 2010 99,81,549 children under five years were covered in the first round and over one crore, of the same age group, were covered in the second round.

Personnel from government departments, ie Women Development and Child Welfare, Municipal Administration, School Education, Panchayat Raj, IKP have been involved in the programme, Dr Ravindra Reddy said.

One case of wild polio virus type 3 was reported in East Godavari district from fishermen in 2008.

Principal Secretary, Health PV Ramesh and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Y Srilakshmi were also present at the meet.