DHAKA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for freeing the country of polio, immunizing all kids aged 0-59 months by vaccinating them against the crippling disease.

    She urged people of all classes and professions to inform parents and guardians about the immunization program and pursue them to give their children the polio vaccine.

    "Even if a kid remains unattended, the whole program will go in vain," the prime minister said while inaugurating the 18th National Immunization Day (NID) 2010 at a simple ceremony at her official residence Jamuna Saturday) morning, private news agency UNB reported.

    Hasina released balloon and immunized some kids with polio vaccine while formally opening the Immunization Day to be observed Sunday across the country.

    All kid aged 0-59 months, irrespective of whether or not they have been immunized before with the vaccine, will be given two drops of the polio vaccine as the government has decided to observe the Day this year in a bid to keep Bangladesh free from the crippling disease.

    Apart from the polio vaccines, all kids aged 12-59 months and from 24-59 months will be respectively fed Vitamin A capsules and anti-worm tablets.

    Addressing the opening ceremony, Hasina directed all authorities concerned, including health officials, to give special attention to the neglected children and also of the working mothers so that they give their kids the Polio vaccine and other tablets.