Final polio vaccination drops

Final polio vaccination drops

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) drips polio vaccine into the mouth to a child in Palembang, South Sumatra as his wife Ani Yudhoyono (center) and other visitors look on. The Tuesday event kicked off the final round of a massive campaign to vaccinate about 95 percent of the country's 24 million children under 5 following the outbreak that has crippled 239 children under 5 since it reemerged in March this year.

In big cities like Jakarta, the atmosphere was merry, with celebrities and public figures taking part in the campaign, while in Sanur, Bali, residents showed up at immunization posts wearing colorful traditional costumes. However, in several cities, like in Medan, some parents were still reluctant to let their children be vaccinated. (JP)