Over 19 lakh children to be covered in three-day campaign
SEERAT-Un-NISA
SRINAGAR, Dec 21: The Pulse Polio Immunisation Drive was formally launched across the Kashmir Valley on Sunday as part of the nationwide campaign aimed at safeguarding children against poliomyelitis, with health authorities targeting the coverage of over 19 lakh children during the three-day exercise across Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite persistent rainfall and challenging weather conditions across large parts of the Valley, the campaign witnessed an encouraging response on its very first day. Since early morning hours, parents and guardians were seen braving the rain to take their children to nearby vaccination booths and health centres, ensuring they received the much-emphasised “two drops of life”.
An official from the Family Welfare and Immunisation Department, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, while speaking to Kashmir Despatch, said that elaborate micro-planning had been carried out well in advance to ensure universal coverage, leaving no child behind.
“Special attention has been given to snow-bound, high-altitude and far-flung regions such as Gurez, Karnah, Machil, Tangdhar and other vulnerable pockets that are prone to heavy snowfall and road blockages. Every household, including those in the most inaccessible areas, has been mapped under the micro-plan,” the official said.
He added that under the National Immunisation Day (NID) campaign, all eligible children up to the age of five years are being administered two drops of oral polio vaccine on a single day, followed by an intensive house-to-house verification drive over the next two days to identify and vaccinate any missed children.
“In view of the adverse weather forecast, vaccines and vaccination teams were dispatched to these remote areas well in advance. Cold-chain arrangements have been ensured right up to the last village and session site so that vaccine potency is maintained and no child is deprived of immunisation,” the official said.
Children vaccinated during the campaign are being marked on the left little finger with indelible ink, a standard practice that helps health teams during follow-up visits to easily identify vaccinated children and track any missed beneficiaries.
Health authorities said that special focus has been placed on high-risk groups, including nomadic, migratory and tribal populations. “Additional vaccination booths have been set up near such habitations, and each health team has been assigned a clearly demarcated area to ensure maximum coverage,” the official said.
“These teams comprise ASHA workers, local health officials and frontline workers, most of whom belong to the same localities. Their familiarity with the terrain and community ensures smooth access to every doorstep,” he added.
Officials underlined that Jammu and Kashmir continues to perform strongly on national routine immunisation and disease surveillance indicators, but stressed that repeated Pulse Polio campaigns remain essential to sustaining India’s polio-free status.
Across the Valley, the campaign was launched by respective Deputy Commissioners, who administered polio drops to children to mark the beginning of the drive in their districts. Earlier in the day, Minister for Health and Education, Sakina Itoo, kick-started the Plus Polio Immunisation Campaign by inaugurating National Immunisation Day at the Government Hospital, Gandhinagar, Jammu.
Addressing the media, the minister lauded the tireless efforts of health workers and frontline staff who continue to work under difficult conditions to ensure that every child is protected. She urged parents and guardians to extend full cooperation to vaccination teams and play their role in keeping Jammu and Kashmir polio-free.
It is pertinent to mention that India reported its last polio case in 2011 and was officially certified polio-free in 2014. However, health experts caution that sustained surveillance and regular immunisation drives are crucial to prevent any possible resurgence of the virus.
To tackle vaccine hesitancy, authorities have rolled out an extensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign, which includes newspaper advertisements, radio jingles, public announcements, and appeals through mosques and temples. Door-to-door awareness efforts are also being carried out by ASHA workers and field staff to sensitise communities.
The campaign is being implemented through a coordinated effort involving the Health Department, ICDS, Education Department, Information Department and the local administration. Officials said that in case of road closures or disruptions due to snowfall, assistance from security forces will be sought to ensure uninterrupted last-mile delivery of vaccines.
Health authorities reiterated that the success of the campaign depends on community participation and urged all parents to ensure that no child misses the life-saving drops during the ongoing immunisation drive.
