The district reported 90.05 per cent immunisation rate for the pulse polio immunisation programme held on Sunday. Out of the total number of 2,27,954 children below the age of 5 in the district, 2,05,045 were immunised.
“The rate of immunisation in the district is 90.05 per cent. The rest of the children would be immunised through a house-to-house visit. With this, the first round would be completed and we will have the second round in February, targeting the same population,” said District Reproductive and Child Health Officer Shanta Kumari.
Excise Minister K Babu inaugurated the district-level Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme at the Community Health Centre, Kalady, Angamaly.
“Health workers alone cannot bring about a nation-wide polio eradication. It would not be possible without the participation of people. All parents with children below 5 years of age must administer the polio drops to their children,” he said.
Though we were able to eradicate several diseases through immunisation, some of them have started making a comeback. The state has also been reporting certain new diseases. People should ensure the intake of clean and hygienic food and water, the minister added.
The district medical office had set up a total of 1,961 booths for the nation-wide pulse polio programme.