The event was attended by Lalgudi MLA Leema Rose Martin, District Revenue Officer S. Madhuranthagi, Government Medical College Hospital Dean Dr. Geethanjali, Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services Dr. Sumathi, District Health Officer Dr. Balusamy, District Food Safety Designated Officer Dr. Anuradha, Coimbatore City Municipal Health Officer Dr. Subash Gandhi, Resident Medical Officer Dr. Saravanapriya, Head of the Department of Paediatrics Dr. Sasikumar, faculty members, doctors, and other officials.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the campaign in Coimbatore, Minister V. Sampath Kumar said the programme was launched in line with the state-level inauguration by the Chief Minister and forms part of the Tamil Nadu government's continued efforts to eradicate polio.
He said that 2.97 lakh children in Coimbatore district have been targeted under this year's campaign. To achieve this, 1,615 Pulse Polio vaccination booths have been established across the district, including 1,124 centres in rural areas and 491 centres in urban areas.
In addition, 32 special vaccination booths have been set up at high-footfall locations such as bus stands, railway stations, airports, and other public places, along with 22 mobile vaccination units to ensure that every eligible child is covered.
The Minister stated that 6,345 personnel, including staff from the Health Department, Anganwadi workers, officials from various government departments, volunteers from non-governmental organisations, and members of Rotary Clubs, have been deployed to conduct the campaign.
He emphasised that the Pulse Polio vaccine provided by the Government of Tamil Nadu is safe, of high quality, and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). The vaccine is administered as part of the nationwide effort to completely eradicate polio.
The Minister appealed to all parents of children below five years of age to ensure that their children receive the Pulse Polio drops during the special campaign, even if they have previously received the vaccine, as every eligible child should be covered on the immunisation day.