Call to protect children from polio in Eluru

Eluru: District Collector Praveen Kumar called upon people to administer polio vaccine to their children to protect them from the disease.

He administered polio drops as part of Pulse Polio programme organised here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said everyone should support to build a society free from polio.

It is the responsibility of parents and others to vaccinate children below the age of five years to avoid them from falling prey to polio. With the introduction of various child protection measures, the child mortality has been reduced to a great extent.

The Collector ordered the officials to monitor door-to-door campaign to administer polio drops to the children not vaccinated on Sunday. The campaign would be carried out on Monday and Tuesday.

There are 401490 children below the age of five years in the district, he said that 3192 vaccination centres were opened for administering the polio drops as part of the Pulse Polio action plan. Special arrangements were made to vaccinate children at bus and railway stations besides other public places.

He also disclosed that 13098 health activists from Anganwadis, Asha, nursing and volunteers have been deployed for executing the plan. As many as 12768 booth team members and 319 route supervisors have been engaged for the programme.

DMHO Dr Subrahmanyeswari, Eluru Municipal Commissioner Mohana Rao, DEO Renuka and others were present.