Jul 22, Kathmandu- The Health Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has planned to reach all the houses within its geographical area and give polio drops to children under five years of age. This is a special polio vaccination campaign. The campaign will start on 9th Shrawan. It has been requested to provide this vaccine compulsorily to the children who have received regular vaccination before.

Polio vaccine is given 3 times by mouth (Oral Polio Vaccine-OPV) at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. Similarly, at the age of 14 weeks and 9 months, it is given by injection (inactivated polio vaccine - IPV).

According to the National Census 2078, there are 238 thousand 966 houses in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. It is estimated that there are about 63 thousand 56 children under the age of five in these homes.

According to the statistics of the department, ward-wise, there are 6 thousand 12 children in ward No. 6. Ward No. 1 has the lowest number of 462 people.

This vaccine is for all children from birth to the age of five. According to Public Health Inspector Dhanendra Shrestha, a team including female health volunteers and health workers will go door to door and administer polio drops.