Bhubaneswar: The health and family welfare department on Thursday began a three-day intensified pulse polio vaccination drive in the city aimed at providing the life-saving oral vaccinations to children up to five years of age.

Earlier, the vaccination drive was scheduled to take place from May 20 to May 22. But due to the special Indradhanush programme beginning the same day and coinciding with the polio drive, the health and family welfare department officials shifted the start date to May 17.

"We have shifted the date but the plan remains the same. The drive will continue till May 19 and we look to cover 100 per cent children," said Kamalakant Dash, state immunisation officer.

This is the second phase of the drive with the first phase completed between April 15 and April 17.

The vaccination providers were trained to place special focus on high-risk areas, including children residing near construction sites and settlements for migratory population, among others.

Besides, the health and family welfare department has decided to visit each house to administer the vaccine apart for continuing the activities at physical booths put up at each of the primary and territory health care institutions of the city.

"We have decided to ensure full coverage for which house visit is necessary," said Dash.

The health and family welfare department had detected the wild polio virus in some vulnerable pockets of the state following which the health providers swung into action and made rigorous plans to ensure that the drive this time became a success.

According to data available with the health and family welfare department, there are 45 lakh children in the state identified to get the polio vaccine in the two-phased drive.

The health department has also opened a 24x7 control room both for citizens and health service providers.