Second phase of polio drops launched

The second phase of the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation campaign was launched across the State on Sunday, targeting the administering of an additional oral polio vaccine to about 70 lakh children below five years.

A total of 40,399 immunisation booths were set up in government hospitals, Anganwadi centres, schools, primary health centres, bus stands, railway stations and tourist spots to administer the drops.


Transit booths functioned at railway stations, bus stands and tourist spots to cover the floating population. Mobile teams were also pressed in to reach the population in remote and inaccessible areas.

In Chennai, Chennai Corporation Mayor M. Subramanian launched the immunisation programme by administering the vaccine to the child of Councillor Vijayalakshmi Jayasankar at Collector Colony in Aminjikarai.

The campaign targeted over five lakh children aged below five years across an estimated 1,126 immunisation centres. The first phase had been launched on January 10 by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, targeting about 70 lakh children across the State.

Tamil Nadu has been “polio-free” for the past six years thanks to the mass participation in the prophylactic campaign.


Keywords: pulse polio, second phase, Polio Immunisation campaign, Chennai Corporation Mayor,