THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second phase of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme will be held on Sunday in the district. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr T Peethambaran said here on Friday that since the year 2000, no polio case has been reported in the State.
There was only one polio case reported in the year 2011 in the country. He said it is likely that the UN would declare India polio-free shortly. But in view of the fact that Kerala is frequented by international tourists and migrant workers, the State stands a chance of contracting the disease again.
The DMO said all children below the age of five have to be administered the polio vaccine to contain the spread of the disease. Those who have already been administered the vaccine also could be given another dose.
On February 19 this year, the vaccine was given to 2,46,994 children. There were 2,004 booths and 4,008 trained volunteers to administer the vaccine.
Railway stations, Ayurvedic homoeo dispensaries and government hospitals will arrange booths. People’s representatives, officials, media, voluntary organisations, residential associations and social and cultural workers will participate in the campaign.
The DMO said there has been 99.4-per cent success in the first phase campaign. There are 3,15,320 doses (15,766 vials) of vaccine arranged for the second phase campaign. Twelve district-level supervisors will be engaged for the smooth conduct of the campaign. A control room has been opened at DMO office. This time, there will be 7,046 volunteers for the smooth conduct of the programme. Committees at the block, municipality and grama panchayat-levels have also met to prepare for the campaign.