The polio eradication programme in Andhra Pradesh will focus on the vulnerable sections of the society this year.
This was disclosed at the formal launch of first round of pulse polio programme by the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, here on Sunday.
The second round, scheduled to commence from April 1, will focus on vulnerable groups such as beggar communities, nomadic tribes, fishermen community, migratory families and construction sector labour families.
Others including urban slum dwellers, residents of semi-urban areas overlapping the surrounding panchayats, new colonies outside the towns, tourist groups, agricultural families living/working in the fields will also be brought under the programme.
After formally administering the pulse polio drops to children at his camp office on the occasion of the National Immunisation Day, Mr Reddy said Andhra Pradesh was a polio-free State since 2008.
He also appealed to all to work to achieve zero polio status across the country by 2012.
A total number of 63,776 pulse polio immunisation booths and 1,864 mobile teams were set up to administer polio drops to the children today, according to a release.