Mass vaccination for polio to be held at markets, hotels
JAKARTA (JP): Polio vaccination posts are to be set up throughout the capital; in markets and supermarkets, at railway stations and airports and in hotels, to cope with the 950,000 needy infants.
The vaccination, which will be provided for free at regular public health centers on Sept. 10 and Oct. 15 and at the city's 9,135 posts is part of a national campaign to eradicate polio. The first round was held last year, with 980,304 infants, and the third is scheduled for 1997.
"For those who cannot bring their under-fives at these hours, vaccination officials will go to their homes," Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday.
The special posts, which will include a number of fast-food restaurants, will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Health posts are now separate from regular activities such as weighing babies, so that parents and children have to spend less time waiting.
Each post is targeting a maximum of 100 infants.
Broto Wasisto, the head of the Committee of the National Immunization Week, said yesterday that last year 22 cases of polio were reported but only four were found to be positive.
"Since the National Immunization Week last September there have been no reports of positive polio cases," Broto said. In the last 10 years the number of polio cases has decreased drastically thanks to intensive immunization campaigns, he added.
The head of the city's health agency, Asman Lasman, said the city has made better preparations regarding data on infants and the required need for vaccination material.
Last year officials at several posts had to get more vaccination supplies from the Committee.
"We were surprised by the huge turn-out, thanks to the success of the advertisements featuring (TV drama stars) Mandra and Rano Karno," Arman said.
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The two stars have also appeared in this year's series of advertisements, which are much briefer. Broto said the Committee does not have the money to make the ads, but did not disclose any figures.
In the coming polio campaign, Governor Surjadi will head the vaccination post in Taman Surapati in the Menteng district where he lives.
His granddaughter will receive the vaccination along with other infants in the area -- including one grandson and one great-grandson of President Soeharto, and four grandchildren of Vice President Try Sutrisno.
Asman said more information is available from the city's central PIN Post, telephone number 3813217 or 3848604.
There will be 6,779 posts at neighborhood locations, 1,431 at kindergartens, 326 at community health centers and 159 at hospitals.
Fourteen posts will be set up at stations, 20 posts at the city's bus terminals and 134 at traditional markets.
Sixty-two posts will also be provided at supermarkets and fast-food outlets, six at airports and harbors, 41 at hotels and 163 posts in various office buildings. (anr)