Punjab Health Minister Balbir Sidhu launches three-day polio vaccination drive

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 27

The Punjab Government has set a target to administer polio drops to around 5.60 lakh children of migratory population in the age group of 0-5 years across the state.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu stated this while launching the three-day sub-national immunisation day (SNID) by administering oral polio vaccine (OPV) drops to children below five years at a state-level function at Sohana village here today.

Balbir Singh Sidhu said migratory population living in high-risk areas such as slums, brick-kilns, construction sites, nomadic sites, deras and jhuggis would be covered during this round.

He said 4,180 house-to-house teams, 500 mobile teams and 37 transit teams had been pressed into service across the state. As many as 802 supervisors would carry out sudden checks to monitor the immunisation programme and ensure that all children were immunised. He said all teams had been asked to strictly follow Covid guidelines during the drive.

Sidhu appealed to people to get their children immunised even if the child is born a few hours ago or is suffering from cough, cold, fever, diarrhoea or any other disease as polio drops have no harmful effects.

Pointing out that the government was making efforts to protect children from the disease, he said polio drops must reach every child of the state. He applauded the efforts of volunteers, frontline workers and health officials for their tireless work in keeping the state polio-free.

Dr Andesh Kang, Director Health Services, Family Welfare; Dr Balwinder Kaur, State Immunisation Officer; Dr Vikram Gupta from the WHO; Dr Renu Singh, Assistant Civil Surgeon, Mohali; Dr Surinderpal Kaur, SMO; Gurmit Singh Rana, State Mass Media Officer; Jatinder Mohan, State Cold Chain Officer; Gurdeep Kaur, District Mass Media Officer; and Dinesh, Health Inspector; were among those present.

Teams told to follow Covid norms

Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said 4,180 house-to-house teams, 500 mobile teams and 37 transit teams had been pressed into service across the state. As many as 802 supervisors would carry out sudden checks to monitor the immunisation programme and ensure that all children were immunised. All teams had been asked to follow Covid norms during the drive.