Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay kicked off the annual Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign in the state by giving oral polio vaccine drops to children at a school in Palavakkam, Chennai. This initiative aims to vaccinate children under five years old across Tamil Nadu to maintain the polio-free status of India. The Health Department plans to reach 52.91 lakh children in a single-day campaign through 43,051 vaccination booths set up in various locations.
The campaign is crucial as polio is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects young children, potentially leading to permanent paralysis. Despite India’s successful eradication of polio, these annual drives are essential to prevent its re-emergence and ensure children’s immunity. Chief Minister Vijay personally administered the first doses of the oral vaccine to children to inaugurate the campaign at Palavakkam.
Healthcare workers, nurses, volunteers, and government officials are actively participating in the Pulse Polio vaccination camps happening simultaneously across Tamil Nadu. The vaccination drive will run until 5 p.m. on Sunday, providing free oral polio vaccine to eligible children at designated centers statewide. Officials emphasize the importance of continuous immunization to safeguard against polio resurgence, urging all children under five to receive the vaccine regardless of prior vaccination history.
Parents and guardians are urged not to miss this opportunity and bring eligible children to the nearest Pulse Polio booth before the campaign ends on Sunday evening. This effort underscores Tamil Nadu’s dedication to safeguarding children and upholding India’s polio-free status.
