More than 7 lakh migrant children immunized on first day of polio round

Chandigarh, September 19:

As the sub-national immunization round of pulse polio drive is underway in 12 districts of Punjab, on the first day of the campaign 701675 migrant children were immunized in Punjab which translates to achievement of approximately 47 % of the targeted children.

Giving details, regarding the smooth conduct of this campaign, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra said that as per the directions of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann this campaign will immunize 100 percent of the targeted children. He further stated that in this campaign all 0-5 children will be covered with a special focus on migrant children. As Punjab has a sizable migrant population and most of their children are not able to take advantage of the routine immunization sessions, which makes them vulnerable to various diseases. To safeguard these children this special Pulse Polio campaign is being organized from 18-20 September 2022, he added.

While giving details about the first day’s coverage Mr. Jouramajra stated that District wise performance has been satisfactory. Achievement of various districts on first day has been as follows- Pathankot 70.43 %,Tarantaran 58.17%, SBS Nagar 54.02%, Patiala 49.93%, Amritsar 47.12%,Fatehgarh Sahib 43.41%, Mansa 42.83%, Fazilka 42.61%, Moga 42.30%,Bathinda 41.97%, Muktsar Sahib 38.77% and Faridkot 37.53%.

The Minister further said that on the first day of the campaign, polio booths were set up to administer polio drops to the children and now the teams of the Punjab Health Department will visit house to house to cover the remaining children.

Mr. Jouramajra made an appeal to the parents of the children that they should get their children of up to 5 years of age immunized against polio in this campaign and make the future of their children as well as the nation safe from Polio.

The Minister also lauded the efforts of the Health department and other departments involved in making this campaign a success.

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