The Pulse Polio immunisation campaign commenced across Kodagu district on Sunday, marking a significant public health initiative aimed at eradicating the disease. The drive was formally inaugurated by Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister's legal adviser, AS Ponnanna, who administered the crucial polio drops to a child at Gonikoppal.
Massive Scale of the Vaccination Drive
The health department has identified a total of 32,702 children in the 0-5 age group for vaccination in this round. This number includes 3,275 children in urban areas and a substantial 29,427 in rural regions. Officials note that among these, 15,788 are children of permanent migrants and 4,112 are children of migrant workers, highlighting the campaign's focus on mobile populations.
To reach every child, the administration has established a wide network of 470 fixed booths and 32 mobile booths. A workforce of 85 supervisors and 973 home-visit teams has been deployed to ensure the drive's success and thorough coverage.
Strategic Plan for Rural and Urban Areas
The campaign will follow a tailored approach based on location. In rural parts of Kodagu, the immunisation activity will continue for two days on December 22 and 23. This extended window is specifically designed to identify and vaccinate migrant children who might have been missed on the first day.
In urban areas, a more intensive house-to-house vaccination strategy will be implemented for three days from December 22 to 24. This door-to-door approach aims to leave no child unvaccinated in towns and city limits.
Special Focus on Migrant and Tourist Populations
Health authorities are paying close attention to the inflow of migrant workers into the district, a key demographic for polio prevention. Proactive measures have been taken by informing plantation owners and contractors who employ migrant labour about the campaign.
Brick kiln owners and construction contractors have been specifically urged to ensure that all children below five years at their worksites are taken to the nearest vaccination booth. Furthermore, the health department release states that children under five accompanying tourists entering Kodagu must also receive the polio drops at nearby booths.
A collective appeal has been made to plantation owners, contractors, and owners of homestays, hotels, and resorts to extend their full cooperation. Their support is considered vital in reaching children in transient families and ensuring the complete success of this critical public health programme.
