IPPI kicks off for children below 5 years
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2021:
The Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) for children below 5 years of age was launched today at the premises of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.
The 3-day immunization programme is being organised jointly by the State Health Society, NHM (National Health Mission) Manipur and Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Manipur.
The polio immunization programme in Manipur is targeting to cover about 3.2 lakh children which is 10,000 more than the target set last year.
A total of 3,600 polio booths have been opened in the State.
Advisor to Chief Minister (Health), Dr Sapam Ranjan attended the event as chief guest.
Launching the programme, Dr S Ranjan appealed to all parents and guardians to approach their nearest polio booth and administer their children the oral polio vaccine.
A polio vaccine is used to prevent poliomyelitis.
Encouraging parents to timely immunize their children, he said they should keep and maintain the immunization card of their children.
They should ensure that their children have been immunised of polio and other diseases.
Eradicating polio needs right awareness among the people and their cooperation, he added.
Dr Ranjan also talked about COVID-19 and said the pandemic is not over yet although the number of fresh infections has decreased considerably.
"We can't say that the disease (COVID-19) has been brought under control yet.
We should still practise precaution and follow the SOPs," he said, adding that vaccination of healthcare workers is on and soon people above 50 will be immunised.
It may be noted that President Ramnath Kovind had launched the Nationwide Pulse Polio Immunization programme yesterday.
India is targeting to cover around 17 crore children under the age of 5 to sustain polio free status of the country.
The immunization programme is being organised in districts across the State.