Health Dept refutes news report regarding Pulse Polio National Immunization Days (Round 2nd) held on March 11
JAMMU,: The department of Health today refuted the news story published in the Daily “Early Times” dated March 12, 2018 regarding Pulse Polio National Immunization Days (Round 2nd) held on March 3, 2018.
In a statement issued today, the Health department termed the news item baseless. While issuing clarification, Director, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, Dr Samir Mattoo said that department by various means had appealed the general public to ensure that children below age of 5 years get polio vaccine from their nearest polio booth on March 11, 2018.
Further clarifying the facts, the Director said that messages on Pulse Polio Campaign 2018 were scrolled by Doordarshan Kendra, Jammu throughout the state in various languages. Further, Prasar Bharti, Radio Kashmir Jammu & Srinagar has also broadcasted the message regarding Pulse Polio Campaign 2018 (2nd Round) throughout the state.
The Director said that he himself appealed the public in general through Radio for spreading of awareness in the state in the morning of March 11, the Booth Day for Pulse Polio Programme 2018.
Community awareness was also made through Information Department by publishing the appeals in various languages in leading local news papers. As per feedback received form districts, publicity has adequately been made well in advance of national Immunization Day through display of banners/posters at prominent places besides announcement at various religious places throughout the state. The Director said in the statement.
The Director said that above all, campaigning was done by field level workers, other line departments including Education, ICDS, NSS, NYK, Youth Services & Sports, Red Cross Society etc were also involved in making the campaign a success. Moreover, the District Development Commissioners have also conducted the District Task Force meetings with the involvement of all district officers for wide publicity of the campaign.
He further said that due to the rigorous campaigning of Pulse Polio by all means, the department has achieved 86.95% coverage on immunization of children below 5 years of age on the 1st Day of 2nd Round and it is hoped that by the end of 2nd Round, the achievement will be 100% or above.
