Anantapur: Collector D.S. Lokesh Kumar launched pulse polio immunisation programme at municipal high school here on Monday.

Anantapur MLA B. Gurunath Reddy, joint collector S. Satyanarayana and district medical and health officer Ramasubba Rao took part in the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, collector Lokesh Kumar observed that about 4,37,407 children were identified under the age group of 5 years in the district for the programme.

As part of massive drive of pulse polio immunisation, at least 3,849 immunisation centres including mobile parties were set up in the district.

Anantapur MLA B. Gurunath Reddy formally launched immunisation during the meeting held at municipal high school here.

District medical and health officer Ramasubba Rao said that medical staff, anganwadi workers and NGOs were involved to make the programme cent per cent success covering all children below five years.

Meanwhile, Tadipatri MLA J.C. Diwakar Reddy has launched pulse polio immunisation programme at Tadipatri. Minor irrigation minister T.G. Venkatesh launched the immunisation programme at Tanguturi Prakasam upper primary school in Prakash Nagar in Kurnool.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister hoped that India would be free from polio from the next year. Referring to massive  immunisation drive, he said the government was taking serious measures since 15 years to eradicate polio disease. Municipal commissioner Murthy was accompanied the minister.

The municipal commissioner Chandramouleeswara Reddy called upon the people to make use of immunisation programme to eradicate polio disease.

Nearly 3 lakh children under 5 years of age were identified in the district. Large number of centres were established at all parts.