First phase of pulse polio programme held in TN

: The first phase of pulse polio immunisation programme was today inaugurated by chief minister K Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu, which will be looking to retain its tag as a polio-free state for the 15th consecutive year.
An estimated 71 lakh children under the age of five years would be administered the polio vaccine in two phases at a cost of Rs 9.90 crore this year.
While the first round was conducted today, the second would be on March 11, an official release said.
A total of 43,051 booths were set up in public health centres, government hospitals, schools and public places across the state for administering the oral vaccine.

Palaniswami formally inaugurated the campaign by administering the drop to a child at a camp office in the city, an official release said.
For the last 14 years, there were no cases of polio reported in the state, it said.
According to the release, around two lakh personnel from the health, child development, education and other government departments are involved in the campaign.
Last year, 71.04 lakh children were covered through the campaign, the release added.