TN CM launches statewide drive for polio vaccination

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay officially launched the state’s annual Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign on Sunday. By administering oral polio vaccine drops to children at the Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School in Palavakkam, Chennai, the Chief Minister marked the beginning of a massive, statewide public health initiative targeting all children under five years of age.

This widespread campaign is a core component of India’s ongoing efforts to protect its polio-free status through synchronized annual vaccination drives.

The importance of the Pulse Polio Campaign

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that predominantly attacks young children and can result in permanent paralysis. While India has successfully eliminated polio within its borders, the government continues to conduct these annual Pulse Polio campaigns. Ongoing vaccination is vital to prevent the re-emergence of the virus and to maintain high immunity levels among the youngest population.

Health officials reiterated that despite India's success in eradicating the disease, continued immunisation remains essential to ensure the virus does not resurface. They stressed that every child below the age of five must receive the oral vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination history.

Massive statewide infrastructure and targets

For this year's drive, the Tamil Nadu Health Department established an ambitious target to administer oral polio vaccine drops to 52.91 lakh children across the state in a single day.
To maximize accessibility for parents and guardians, a vast network of 43,051 vaccination booths was set up across Tamil Nadu. These booths were strategically placed in public areas, including-

Government hospitals and primary health centres
Schools and anganwadi centres
Railway stations, bus terminals, and airports
Toll plazas and transit check posts

Mobilization and campaign execution

Following the inaugural doses administered by Chief Minister Vijay in Palavakkam, the Pulse Polio camps commenced simultaneously across all districts. The large-scale initiative mobilized thousands of healthcare workers, nurses, volunteers, and government officials to manage the booths.

The free vaccination drive was scheduled to run until 5.00 pm. on Sunday at all designated centres.

The state government appealed to parents and guardians to utilize this opportunity, urging them to bring all eligible children to their nearest Pulse Polio booth before the evening conclusion. The initiative reaffirms Tamil Nadu’s rigorous commitment to safeguarding children's health and preserving India’s hard-won polio-free status.