Chennai, June 28 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday launched the state’s annual Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign by administering oral polio vaccine drops to children at the Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School in Palavakkam, Chennai, marking the beginning of a massive statewide immunisation drive targeting children below the age of five.

The campaign is part of India’s continued efforts to sustain its polio-free status through annual vaccination drives.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can cause permanent paralysis. Although India has successfully eliminated the disease, the government continues to organise Pulse Polio campaigns every year to prevent the virus re-emergence and maintain immunity among children.

This year, the Tamil Nadu Health Department has set a target of administering oral polio vaccine drops to 52.91 lakh children across the state in a single-day campaign. A total of 43,051 vaccination booths have been established at government hospitals, primary health centres, schools, anganwadi centres, railway stations, bus terminals, airports, toll plazas, check posts and other public places to ensure easy access for parents and children.

Chief Minister Vijay inaugurated the campaign by personally administering the first doses of the oral vaccine to children at the Palavakkam venue.

Following the launch, Pulse Polio vaccination camps commenced simultaneously across Tamil Nadu, with thousands of healthcare workers, nurses, volunteers and government officials participating in the large-scale public health initiative.

The vaccination drive will continue until 5 p.m. on Sunday, with eligible children receiving the oral vaccine free of cost at designated centres across the state.

Health officials reiterated that despite India’s achievement in eradicating polio, continued immunisation remains essential to prevent the virus from resurfacing. They stressed that every child below five years of age should receive the oral polio vaccine irrespective of previous vaccination history.

The state government appealed to parents and guardians not to miss the opportunity and to ensure that all eligible children are brought to the nearest Pulse Polio booth before the campaign concludes on Sunday evening, reaffirming Tamil Nadu’s commitment to protecting children and preserving India’s polio-free status.

–IANS

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