Nagaland to conduct Polio Day on March 3

DIMAPUR — As part of the National Immunisation Day (NID), Nagaland will conduct Polio Day on March 3 in all the districts.

All children below five years of age, irrespective of previous immunisation status, will be administered two drops of the oral polio vaccine to protect against polio, stated a press release from the  state immunisation officer, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.

“India is polio free, but polio still exists in few countries and it may come back. To ensure the child’s complete protection, polio vaccine is given every time so that India maintains its victory over polio,” the release stated.

The timing for the Booth Day is from 8 am to 3 pm, where parents and caregivers can bring their children to receive the two drops of polio vaccine.

Post administration of the oral polio vaccine, the child’s finger will be marked with ink for the health workers to understand the coverage. “Parents and caregivers have to note that the ink used for the finger marking in the child is safe from any toxicity,” it stated.

All the parents and caregivers have been requested to avail the service and visit the polio booth for the uptake of services. Parents can contact the health workers, ASHA and AWWs in their respective areas for further information.

The department also informed that the Polio Day initiative can be sustained only through multi-stakeholder approach – Support from allied departments, faith based organisations (FBOs) civil society organisations, village councils, women leaders and members of IMA, IAP, IDA, Rotary Club and Lions Club etc.

“We have to ensure that all children under five years of age in your family or community take up the two drops of oral polio vaccine,” it added.