Varanasi: Ahead of the Pulse Polio immunisation campaign beginning Sunday, the district health department organised a district-level awareness rally on Saturday to encourage parents to ensure that all eligible children receive the oral polio vaccine.The rally was flagged off by chief medical officer by Mukesh Kumar.Similar awareness rallies were also organised from PHCs and CHCs across all development blocks of the district, as well as from urban PHCs, to spread awareness about the immunisation drive.ASHA workers, ANMs, health workers, nursing students and officials of the health department participated in the campaign. Carrying banners and placards, they appealed to parents to ensure that every child below five years of age receives the life-saving polio vaccine and to support the goal of a polio-free India.S S Kannaujia said Booth Day would be observed on Sunday, during which all children aged between 0 and 5 years would be administered two drops of the oral polio vaccine at designated booths across the district.He added that from June 29 onwards, health department teams would conduct door-to-door visits to vaccinate children who were unable to attend the booths. He urged parents to bring their children to the nearest vaccination centre and cooperate with health workers during the household visits.Addressing the gathering, Chief Medical Officer Mukesh Kumar stressed that active participation by every parent is essential to protect children from polio.“Our goal is to ensure that no eligible child in the district is left without the polio vaccine. Every citizen should actively support the campaign and help ensure that every child receives the two life-saving drops,” he said.
