Nagaland will observe National Immunisation Day on June 28, aiming to vaccinate 1.43 lakh children under five against polio.
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DIMAPUR — Nagaland will observe National Immunisation Day (NID) on June 28 as part of the nationwide initiative to reaffirm India’s commitment to maintaining its polio-free status.
The programme will be conducted across all districts of the state.
In a press release, the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare stated that every child below five years of age must receive two drops of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), irrespective of previous vaccination status.
The department stated that the vaccine is safe, free of cost and essential for protecting children from the crippling effects of poliomyelitis.
The release noted that India has remained polio-free since 2014 due to sustained mass immunisation campaigns, but stressed that continued vigilance is necessary to prevent the reintroduction of the virus from countries where polio remains endemic.
It warned that exposure to the virus could result in lifelong paralysis and disability.
The department informed that this year’s campaign aims to immunise 1,43,530 children below the age of five across Nagaland, adding that achieving complete coverage is crucial to maintaining the country’s polio-free status.
Parents and caregivers have been urged to bring their children to the nearest polio booth between 8 am and 3 pm on June 28.
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To ensure that no child is missed, health workers will mark the left little finger of each vaccinated child with non-toxic indelible ink after administering the vaccine.
The department also appealed to civil society organisations, faith leaders, village councils, Lions Clubs, Rotary International, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) and other stakeholders to actively participate in creating awareness and mobilising communities.
It stated that their support and networks are vital to achieving 100 per cent coverage and reinforcing the importance of protecting every child.
The department further called upon the public to support health workers in their efforts to safeguard the future of children and help keep India polio-free.