As many as 9.45 lakh children aged between zero and five years will be given polio vaccine as part of the pulse polio programme to be held from February 19 to 21 in both East and West Godavari districts.

As the second day of the scheduled programme coincides with Maha Sivaratri, health authorities are taking help from the endowments and other departments to set up special camps at all important Siva temples to administer the vaccine to the children of devotees.

In East Godavari, nearly 5.60 lakh children are targeted for administration of polio vaccine by setting up 3,250 booths. The authorities have identified 35 points to set up special booths to cover children of devotees who visit temples at Pithapuram, Samalkota, Draksharama, Peddamalla-puram of Sankhavaram mandal, Pathikonda and other areas. More emphasis will be given to children of farm and construction labourers, fishermen and nomadic tribes.

Special booths are also being set up in the Agency area for the children of tribals. Transit booths are also being set up at railway stations and bus stations.

The health authorities are procuring about 7.20 lakh doses of vaccine and health staff, anganwadi workers, accredited social health activists and others will be engaged for administration and mobilisation of people for vaccinating their children.

Health staff will also take up door-to-door visits on the remaining two days to administer vaccine.

In West Godavari, nearly 3.95 lakh children are targeted with 5.25 lakh doses of the vaccine. Special booths will be set up on the premises of Siva temples at Pattiseema, Balive of Pedavegi mandal, Achanta and other places. Other arrangements will be as in East Godavari district.