Kamrup-M launches polio vax drive, aims to cover 1.9L kids under 5yrs

Guwahati: Kamrup Metropolitan on Sunday launched the National Immunisation Drive at Satgaon Urban State Ayushman Arogya Mandir.“The district aims to administer the oral polio vaccine to 1,99,591 children aged 0-5 years through 860 polio booths.

The programme, which began on Sunday, will continue till Tuesday,” said Pompi Kalita, National Health Mission’s district media expert for Kamrup-Metropolitan.NHM officials said the district has achieved 66.23% coverage so far.Officials said the three-day pulse polio campaign is part of the govt’s routine immunisation efforts. Parents and guardians have been urged to ensure that all children below the age of five years receive the oral polio vaccine, regardless of previous vaccination status.Dimoria MLA Tapan Das inaugurated the drive. “During the three-day programme, vaccination will be administered at all polio booths on the first day, while on Monday and Tuesday, healthcare workers will conduct house-to-house visits to vaccinate children who could not receive the vaccine on the booth day,” she said.The launch was attended by Dr Narayan Dutta Sarma, in-charge of the joint director of health services; Dr Bhupendra Kumar Bhuyan, additional CM&HO; Dr Bhabendra Kumar Das, DIO; doctors and staff of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir; and officials from the health & family welfare department, NHM and WHO.