NID Programme First Round Jan 8
2.20cr children to get polio vaccine
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday launched the 19th National Immunisation Day (NID) programme to make the country free from polio and night blindness.
Health Minister Prof AFM Ruhal Haque said 2.20 crore children under 5 years of age are targeted to be provided with polio vaccine on January 8, the first round of the programme. Children aged between 1 and 5 will get vitamin A capsule additionally.
The minister was briefing journalists at the Extended Programme on Immunisation (EPI) auditorium in the city following the programme launching at Gono Bhaban in the city.
Haque said these children will again be provided with the polio vaccine at the second round on February 12. Children aged from 2 to 5 will be given deworming tablets additionally.
There will be 20,000 mobile EPI centres at rail stations, bus stands, launch terminals, and ports to reach the children on movement along with 20,000 permanent centres, he said.
The minister asked parents to bring their children to the EPI centres from 8:00am to 4:00pm on these days.
After long gap, polio recurred in the country in 2006 when 18 polio cases were detected, said Haque.
“As our neighbouring country India is still experiencing polio cases especially at its bordering area Murshidabad, our country is highly at risk of the disease. So the government is organising immunisation campaign against polio regularly.”
State Minister for Health Dr Mozibur Rahman Fakir, Director General Prof Khondoker Shefayetullah of the health directorate, National Professor MR Khan, and IPHN Director Prof Fatima Parveen were present at the press briefing among others.
