Bengaluru: A total of 64.51 lakh children, aged below five years, were immunised with polio drops during the two-phase drive in the State, against a target of 74.25 lakh children. The first round was held across the State and the city on Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm and the second round is slated for February 21. Across the state, a target of 86.83 per cent immunization was achieved on day one of the pulse polio campaign.
While Kalaburagi reported the lowest number of children immunized, the highest was from Mandya district. A total 64,51,530 children were immunized in designated booths during the first round. Mandya achieved 96.17 per cent immunization, followed by Kodagu (95.08 per cent), Bengaluru Rural (94.59 per cent) and Mysuru (93.44 per cent). T Tumakuru and Shivamogga districts reported close to 92 per cent.
According to Dr A Ramachandra Bairy, Deputy director, immunization, department of health and family welfare, the lowest performing districts fall in the Hyderabad-Karnataka and North Karnataka regions. A total of 5.61 lakh children were vaccinated within the BBMP limits in the city, including those immunised at vaccination booths, bazaars, transit points and mela sites. Out of this, as many as 98,624 children were vaccinated by the transit teams in places such as malls, melas and markets. The area recorded 86.23 per cent immunization.
On Sunday, volunteers spread across the city and checked on children to see if the small finger on their left hand was inked. They checked at traffic signals, toll plazas and also in malls.
In BBMP limits and Bengaluru Urban, a total of 4,000 booths were operational. As many as 1,205 mobile teams, 1,736 transit teams, and over 1.3 lakh volunteers were on ground to carry on the immunization programme.
From Monday, a three-day door-to-door programme will be held in parts of North Karnataka and Bengalurum while in the other areas, a two-day door-to-door programme would take place. The second round of the campaign is slated to happen on February.
Drive to cover 74 lakh kids
A total of 74.25 lakh children aged below five are expected to be immunised with polio drops during the two-phase drive in the State. While the first round was held on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the second will be held on February 21. Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader on Friday told reporters that 1.03 lakh volunteers would be involved in the immunisation programme. A total 32,617 booths had been set up and 51,732 teams formed to immunise children. There would be 1,205 mobile teams and 1,736 transit teams, he said.
