As part of the nationwide pulse polio programme this year, Assam will also observe the National Immunisation Day (NID) on June 28, with a target of vaccinating approximately 45 lakh children within the age group of zero to five across all the districts.
The state health department has made elaborate arrangements for the conduct of the National Immunisation Day during which approximately 24,000 polio vaccination booths will be operational across the state to administer the oral polio vaccine to eligible children.
National Immunisation Day (NID), often referred to as Polio Sunday, remains a key public health initiative to ensure that every child aged zero to five years receives protection through the oral polio vaccine (OPV) in addition to the polio vaccine doses administered during the routine immunisation schedule.
The booth day on June 28 will be followed by intensive house-to-house visits and visits to mobile transit points such as bus stations, market places, high risk areas like brick kilns and urban slum areas on the following two days by mobile health teams in order to administer oral polio vaccine to children who may have missed vaccination on the booth day.
Approximately 92,000 health officials, staff and front-line workers will be engaged during the three days, along with staff of the school education department, women and child development department for the smooth conduct of the campaign in all the districts of the state.
Assam health minister Ashok Singhal has urged all parents to protect their child by giving them two drops of polio vaccine during the campaign days.
The minister informed that the health and family welfare department, with participation of the district commissioners, has made elaborate arrangements in the districts for the campaign.
He appealed to all sections of the society to join hands and ensure that every child of zero to five years of age in their localities receives the vaccine.
Assam gears up for national immunisation day; 45 lakh children to be administered pulse polio vaccine
