More than 2,300 booths, at bus terminuses, railway stations and toll plazas, have been set up for the first phase of the pulse polio immunisation campaign on Sunday. The campaign is being held for children (0 - 5 years) for immunisation against polio.
In Vellore district, there are 3,81,822 children below the age of five. Around 2,362 booths will be set up to administer the drops. Apart from this, 56 transit booths will be located at bus terminals and railway stations, while arrangements have been made to reach out to children in hilly regions with less transport facilities through 13 booths.
Booths have also been set up at the toll plazas on the National Highways at Walaja, Pallikonda and Natrampalli to administer the drops to children on the move.
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K. Poonkodi, Deputy Director of Health Serivces, Vellore said parents should bring their children to the booths for immunisation to avoid drop outs. The booths are mostly located in schools, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) or anganwadi centres, primary health centres (PHC) and government hospitals (GH).
“The booths at PHCs, GHs and transit booths will continue to function for three days from Sunday,” she said.
Last year, the district registered more than 99 per cent immunisation coverage among its resident population and achieved a total of 107 per cent coverage including the transit population, she said.
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E. Theranirajan, professor and head of paediatrics, Government Vellore Medical College Hospital, said administering the drops was essential for children aged 0 to 5 years irrespective of previous immunisation against polio.
"Even if the child has received the polio drops a day before the camp, he/she should immunised again. The campaign is being held on a single day to produce herd immunity among children," he explained.
Though India has been polio-free, neighbouring countries such as Pakistan still had polio cases, making it necessary to immunise children here, he added.
Often, parents are apprehensive about bringing their children to the camps if they have or recently had cold and fever.
"Children with minor illnesses like mild fever, running nose and upper respiratory tract infection can be given the drops. In case, parents are doubtful, they can consult the paediatricians," he said.
During the coordination meetings too, block level medical officers and primary health centre doctors have been advised to check such babies, review their condition and if needed consult paediatricians for opinions.
He said that children on steroids for nephrotic syndromes, malignant conitions such as leukemia, immuno-suppressed and unconscious/unresponsive conditions need not get the drops. “Chidren who had convulsions recently need not take the drops,” he advised.
A total of 9,028 staff and 277 supervisors and 140 vehicles have been engaged for the campaign. The second phase of the campaign will be held on February 22. The booths will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.