Pulse polio drive kicks off across India; internet searches for centres surge
On Sunday, December 21, India observed National Immunization Day with a massive pulse polio campaign across multiple states, aiming to protect children under five from the crippling disease.
State-specific targets and arrangements
In Karnataka, the Health and Family Welfare Department targeted 62 lakh children, deploying 33,258 booths, 1,030 mobile teams, and 2,096 transit teams. Over 1.13 lakh vaccinators and 7,322 supervisors were assigned to cover villages, hilly areas, brick kilns, slums, migrant settlements, farmhouses, and urban localities.
Greater Bengaluru introduced a QR code for the first time to help residents locate the nearest vaccination centres. Under the GBA’s oversight, 4,452 booths—including 3,391 fixed, 601 transit, and 460 mobile—were set up. Approximately 18,000 vaccinators and 881 supervisors were tasked to reach over 28 lakh households, covering more than 11 lakh children, including 4.6 lakh in slums and 12,000 in migrant communities.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the programme at his Camp Office in Undavalli, while Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav administered polio drops at an Urban Health Centre in Kakinada. Nearly 99 lakh doses provided by the Centre were sent to districts to cover 54.07 lakh children at 38,267 booths. Mobile and transit teams were deployed to reach homes, bus stands, railway stations, airports, and other public venues on December 22 and 23.
Jammu and Kashmir aimed to vaccinate more than 19 lakh children. Officials set up 10,993 booths, 248 transit points, and deployed 518 mobile teams to reach remote and vulnerable populations, with follow-up house-to-house visits scheduled for December 22 and 23.
Tripura prepared to cover over 3.40 lakh children across the state, establishing 3,409 vaccination booths at schools, sub-health centres, Anganwadi centres, hospitals, and temporary locations. A team of 13,636 vaccinators, supported by 682 supervisors, worked to meet district-wise targets ranging from 28,100 in Unakoti to 68,348 in West Tripura.
Comprehensive coverage ensures no child is missed
The nationwide campaign follows the prescribed schedule of five OPV doses per child, with the day’s focus on two doses at booths. Mobile and transit teams, coupled with house-to-house visits in the days following December 21, aim to ensure complete immunization coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
With the launch of the drive, online searches for “polio drops near me,” “polio,” and “pulse polio near me” have surged, reflecting strong public interest in locating vaccination centres quickly and ensuring children receive timely protection.