Chennai, Mar 3: A total of 57 lakh children in the age group of 0-5 years will administered polio drops as part of the Pulse Polio Immunisation campaign in Tamil Nadu which began on Sunday, in a bid tom make the eradicate Poliomyelitis from the earth and also from the State.

The State remained polio free for the last two decades, thanks to the intensive polio immunisation programme launched by the government.

Polio drops will be administered to the children in 43,051 booths established in all PHCs/Government Hospitals/ ICDS Centers, Noon Meal Centers, Schools and other important places in Tamil Nadu.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to vaccinate 57.84 lakhs target children in these booths.

The PPI campaign was supported by UNICEF, WHO and Rotary International.

Official sources said the immunization campaign, which began at 0700 hrs, will continue till 1700 hrs.

All children in the age group of (0-5) years will be given polio drops, it said, adding, all Children immunized recently under Routine Immunization Schedule would also be given Polio drops on the campaign days.

All newborn children would also be covered un the programme.

In a bid to identify missed out children, finger marking is done for all vaccinated children on the left little finger.

Private Pediatricians and Private Hospitals will also administer polio drops in their clinics on this PPI day.

Children of Migrant laborers will also be given polio drops and more than 3,000 Government Vehicles are deployed for the Campaign.

Transit booths were set up in major bus stands, railway stations, Toll plazas, Check posts, Airports to cover the children on travel.

Mobile teams have also been formed to administer polio drops to children living in remote, inaccessible and migrant areas. About two lakh personnel from Health, Integrated Child Development scheme, Education and other Government Departments and volunteers are engaged in this Campaign.

Due to successful implementation of Pulse Polio Campaigns, the State is entering the 20th Polio Free Year.

“Now, it is very much essential to sustain this polio free status and also to protect our children from any possible transmission of wild polio virus”, the

release said, adding, all parents are requested to utilize this opportunity and get their children immunized on the Pulse Polio days.

“Let us join hands for eradication of Poliomyelitis from the earth”, it said.

UNI