KATHMANDU: The government of Nepal is launching a three-day special drive in the three districts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur from today with a view to polio vaccinations. This campaign is being launched consequent to the detection of a modified poliovirus, known as Vaccine Derived Polio Virus Type 3, in Kathmandu's water sources.

Dr. Bivek Kumar Lal, Director of the Family Welfare Division, informed that the vaccination would be targeted for all children from birth to five years in the affected districts. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, despite the regular vaccination efforts, the campaign was a necessary one.

Though Nepal was declared polio-free by the WHO a decade ago, the government is doing all this to prevent the resurgence of the virus. Parents are requested to ensure that their below five years children get vaccinated during this special drive.