Vaccination – Andhra Pradesh Launches Massive Pulse Polio Drive for Young Children
Vaccination – Andhra Pradesh has started its annual Pulse Polio immunisation campaign with an extensive statewide effort to ensure that every child below the age of five receives protection against poliovirus. The government has planned to vaccinate nearly 4.92 million children by deploying thousands of health workers, mobile teams and vaccination centres across the state.
Statewide Immunisation Campaign Begins
The Andhra Pradesh government has set an ambitious target of administering polio drops to approximately 49.20 lakh children under five years of age during this year’s Pulse Polio campaign. To support the programme, around 60 lakh vaccine doses have been arranged, while nearly 1.33 lakh healthcare personnel have been assigned to carry out vaccination activities in every district.
Minister for Medical and Health Satya Kumar Yadav formally launched the campaign by administering polio drops to children at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Bhavani Gardens, located in the Industrial Estate area of Visakhapatnam. The event was attended by Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, Visakha North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju and District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore.
Campaign Aims to Preserve India’s Polio-Free Status
Addressing the gathering, the Health Minister said the annual immunisation drive remains essential despite India eliminating the wild poliovirus more than a decade ago. He noted that the country achieved polio-free status in 2011, while Andhra Pradesh reached the milestone even earlier in 2008. However, he explained that the vaccination programme continues every year in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations because neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to report polio infections.
The minister stressed that maintaining routine vaccination is necessary to safeguard children and prevent the reintroduction of the disease.
Multi-Phase Strategy to Reach Every Child
Officials have designed the Pulse Polio campaign in four phases to maximise coverage. On the opening day, vaccination is being carried out through nearly 30,000 booths established across Andhra Pradesh. In addition, around 1,200 mobile medical vehicles have been deployed to serve remote villages and difficult-to-reach locations.
Special transit vaccination booths have also been established at major bus terminals and railway stations so that children travelling with their families do not miss the opportunity to receive the vaccine. Health teams will conduct door-to-door visits over the next two days to vaccinate children who could not attend the booths on the first day.
Government Focuses on Stronger Public Health Infrastructure
During the programme, Satya Kumar Yadav said the government continues to strengthen primary healthcare services across Andhra Pradesh. He informed that construction work is progressing on 4,563 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in different parts of the state, including 1,325 facilities approved for the North Andhra region.
He also highlighted that preventive measures against monsoon-related diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya have been intensified. Health departments are conducting fever surveys, sanitation campaigns, fogging operations and other public health initiatives to reduce the spread of seasonal illnesses.
Visakhapatnam District Makes Extensive Preparations
Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat appealed to parents, healthcare workers, voluntary organisations and elected representatives to actively support the campaign and ensure that every eligible child receives polio drops. He said nearly 1.89 lakh children below five years of age have been identified for vaccination in the district.
District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore said the district administration has organised a three-day Pulse Polio campaign with 1,002 fixed vaccination booths and 62 mobile and transit booths. Nearly three lakh vaccine doses have been stocked for the programme, while dedicated teams have been stationed at transport hubs to reach travelling families. Children who are not vaccinated on the first day will be covered through the door-to-door campaign during the following two days.