Chandigarh, February 2, 2021:: 100 % target has been achieved by immunizing 95019 number of children against the target of 90035 thereby achieving 105.53% coverage during the three days activity of National Immunization Day – Pulse Polio NID round ‘Do Boond, Zindagi Ki’ in UT Chandigarh. The activity was conducted from 31st January, 2021 – 2nd February, 2021 for three days wherein day one was observed as a booth activity and house to house coverage was done for the remaining two days. Special emphasis was laid upon high risk and vulnerable areas.
India was officially declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in March 2014. Govt. of India is stressing upon 100% coverage of immunization for which UT Chandigarh has already achieved it the same. In Chandigarh the challenge largely remains in the areas where migratory/vulnerable population is residing for which extensive efforts by way of doing survey, making micro plans and ensuring coverage of all the 0 to 5 year old children in the area.
The objective of carrying out this campaign is to ensure that no child is left unimmunized in order to implement the slogan, ‘Ek bhi bacha choota toh suraksha chakra tutta’. UT Chandigarh has gone a step further to ensure its comitments to this vulnerable age group by carrying out a unique activity in the night hours namely ‘Taare Zammen Par – A Night Vigil’ to vaccinate the children of beggars, rag pickers, nomads, etc. who do not get their children vaccinated in the day time due to mobility but settle down in the night hours.
Dr. Amandeep Kang, Director Health & Family Welfare cum Mission Director – National Health Mission, UT Chandigarh visited the hutments behind sabzi mandi along with the night vigil teams and vaccinated the unimmunized children. Approximately 141 children were covered during the Night Vigil activity due to the commitment of the teams consisting of a Medical Officer, MPHW and Constables.
The activity was monitored by independent WHO Monitors who visited the field especially the high risk/ vulnerable areas for supervision and monitoring purposes and appreciated the efforts of health workers DH&FW appreciated the hard work and motivation of all the health workers and volunteers who participated in this campaign and thanked all the teams for their tireless efforts and cooperation of the residents at large to accomplish this task with 100% success.
