No polio cases reported this year

No polio cases reported this year

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Sujudi said there were no new
cases of polio this year and only four reported last year.

At the launch of the second phase of this year's immunization
program in Pandak Bandung village in Bali yesterday, Sujudi said
he hoped that disability caused by polio would be further
reduced.

"I believe that we won't see any children crippled by polio
after the year 2000," he said, according to an Antara report.

The prevalence of polio has dropped dramatically in the last
few years, according to Health Ministry data. In 1993, the number
of reported cases was seven, with 10 in 1994.

Despite the small number of cases, Sujudi said that the polio
virus is very much present in neighborhoods and can attack
unvaccinated children.

Children who contract the virus could be crippled for life or
even die, he said.

Yesterday's vaccination campaign took place in 275,000
immunization posts across the country and aimed to vaccinate a
targeted 21.8 million children under five.

Immunization posts were established in public health centers,
hospitals, schools, bus terminals, airports, railway stations and
harbors for yesterday's vaccination drive.

One million people were recruited from among Family Welfare
Movement members, scouts, teachers and other social organizations
to administer the 60 million doses.

The launching ceremony yesterday was attended by Family
Welfare Movement chief Mrs. Moch. Yogie S.M.

More than 22 million children under the age of five have
already been vaccinated in the campaigns held last month and last
year.

Most provinces completed the vaccination program last month
within a day rather than the scheduled three days.

This year's anti-polio drive cost Rp 52.5 billion (US$22,3
million), while last year's drive cost Rp 55 billion. (swe)