Polio vaccine for pilgrims to India

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry will provide a dose of polio vaccine to all Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting India.

The vaccine will be given before the pilgrims’ departure to India. Pilgrims can obtain the vaccine from the Public Health Inspector of the area. It should be taken at least two weeks prior to departure, a Ministry spokesman said.

The vaccine is also available at Ports Health Centre/Office at the MRI building complex, Borella and the Health Centre Office at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Pilgrims return- ing from India, who fall sick, should report to the PHIs office, the spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, polio has not been reported in Sri Lanka since 1993. However several cases have been reported from neighbouring countries, including India. The most affected states are Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.