These children included those who have been receiving the oral vaccine in the three annual immunisation camps since 1995 and also many of those who were left out in previous efforts. The unimmunised children were identified as residents of areas which have reported the incidence of polio this year. Thirty two such areas are marked as high risk areas and received special attention from the organisers of the drive -- the Health Ministry, the World Health Orgainsation and Rotary International, with volunteers visiting houses to deliver the polio drops to those who stayed back.

While 419 cases have been reported all over the country, in Delhi there have been 119 cases of which 41 were confirmed as polio. At one booth in Safdarjung, parents were bringing in children even at 3.30 p.m, just half-an-hour to closing time. Around 200 children had been immunised at that centre till then, according to Bhavna Vaid, a medical student from Nehru Homeo College, who was volunteer there.

She and Sulochana, another volunteer, also a student, had between them 60 vials of vaccine, but had exhausted only 15. Each vial can serve 20 children.

The late comers there included two-and-a-half year old Hiti, who was accompanied by her father Harish, a doctor in Safdarjung Hospital. Then there was Jaideep Singh, a three-year-old, who came with his mother Sudesh, who knew of the polio campaign through the advertisements on television.

Sunday's effort will be completed with another dose to be give to the children on January 17.