“Polio vaccine absolutely safe, don't believe rumours''

Comprehensive strategy on to keep the State polio-free

October 17, 2011 12:17 am | Updated November 17, 2021 04:08 am IST - MADURAI:

K. Vanaja, Joint Director( Immunisation)  speaking at the Polio Plus Planning and Orientation Meeting held in Madurai on Sunday. Photo: G. Moorthy

K. Vanaja, Joint Director( Immunisation) speaking at the Polio Plus Planning and Orientation Meeting held in Madurai on Sunday. Photo: G. Moorthy

The State government is adopting a comprehensive strategy to keep the State polio-free and ensure that all children are covered under the polio immunisation.

Also, the Health Department officials have stepped up public awareness campaign to convey that the polio drops are safe and that parents should not have any sort of doubts or fear about the safety of polio vaccine.

Multiple strategies

Talking to The Hindu here on Sunday, K. Vanaja, Joint Director (Immunisation), said the multiple strategies include special focus on migrant workers coming to the State from other parts of country and involving village health nurses for immunisation activity.

“We are making sure there is no import of polio case through migrant workers. Districts where there is large migrant population such as Chennai, Kancheepuram and Coimbatore are kept under strict surveillance. Besides, the routine polio immunisation too has been strengthened,” she said.

Dr. Vanaja was in the city to make a presentation on “Tamil Nadu's Plan of Action” for polio eradication at the Polio Plus Planning and Orientation Meeting jointly organised by the Rotary District 3000 and Rotary Club of Madurai West here on Sunday.

Satisfactory

While expressing satisfaction that not a single polio case was reported in Tamil Nadu in the past seven years, the Joint Director cautioned that the Health Department and other partners in polio eradication drive should not be complacent at any stage.

“We must sustain that zero polio status for ever. To achieve that, the active participation of public is essential and every child must get the oral polio vaccine. The polio vaccine is supplied by the Government of India only after lots of checks and it is absolutely safe,” Dr. Vanaja said.

She said the State Health Department has now roped in Village Health Nurses for the polio immunisation activity in order to make sure that every child is getting the vaccine.

Referring to the rumours spread in the State about children dying after the polio drops were given to them a few years ago, the Joint Director said parents should not believe false information spread about vaccine safety.

Rotary's support

P. Sambasiva Rao, Member, National Polio Plus Committee, had highlighted the extensive funding support made by Rotary Clubs across the country for polio eradication mission.

Y. Kumaran, Rotary District Governor Elect, Santhosh Rajagopal, Surveillance Officer, World Health Organisation and K.R. Raja Govindasamy, president, Rotary Club of Madurai West, were among those who spoke at the orientation meeting for health department staff and Rotary Club members.

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