National immunization day’ for pulse polio immunization on 27th Feb,2022

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri (A.P.)

Dept of Pediatrics

National Immunization Day (NID) for Pulse Polio Immunization at AIIMS, Mangalagiri on 27^th Feb 2022

With the global initiative of eradication of polio in 1988 following World Health Assembly resolution in 1988, Pulse Polio Immunization programme was launched in India in 1995. Children in the age group of 0-5 years are administered polio drops during National and Sub-national immunization rounds (in high risk areas) every year. The Pulse Polio Initiative was started with an objective of achieving hundred per cent coverage under Oral Polio Vaccine. It aimed to immunize children through improved social mobilization, plan mop-up operations. India conducts one nationwide NID and two Sub-National Immunization Day (SNIDs) for polio every year to maintain population immunity against wild poliovirus and to sustain its polio free status

For this year, ‘National Immunization day’ (NID) for pulse Polio Immunization was observed on – 27/2/2022 (Sunday) as per the directions of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India. All children less than 5 years were immunized with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) at nearest pulse polio booths.

Under the guidance of our Honourable Director & CEO, Dr. Mukesh Tripathi, Medical Superintendent Dr. Vineet Thomas Abraham and in collaboration with the District immunization officer, Guntur, Departments of Pediatrics and Community & Family Medicine, AIIMS, Mangalagiri, had set up a pulse polio booth at AIIMS Hospital OPD block for the benefit of children attending our OPD from nearby areas, children of AIIMS staff staying near Mangalagiri and construction workers staying in our campus.

AIIMS, Mangalagiri immunization team comprising of Doctors, Nursing officers and FNO conducted the polio booth camp on 27^th February 2022 at AIIMS, Mangalagiri OPD block from 7am till 5pm, under the supervision of Pediatrics Team (Dr. Arun babu, Additional Professor and Head, Dept of Pediatrics, Dr. Rachna Pasi, Assistant Professor, Dept of Pediatrics) and CFM team (Dr. Rajeev Aravindakshan, Additional Professor and Head, Dept of CFM, Dr. Vinoth Kumar Kalidoss, Tutor, Dept of CFM). A total of 40 children under 5 years of age, including children of construction workers staying in labour colony within the AIIMS campus were vaccinated successfully. No Adverse effects following immunization (AEFI) were noted.