Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy and Law, C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, inaugurated the special immunisation drive by administering oral polio vaccine drops to children and inspecting the vaccination camp.
The campaign aims to strengthen India's efforts to sustain its polio-free status by ensuring that every child below the age of five receives an additional dose of the oral polio vaccine. Although India has successfully eliminated polio, the government continues to conduct Pulse Polio campaigns to maintain immunity among children and prevent the re-emergence of the disease.
In Madurai district, a target has been set to vaccinate 2,32,959 children aged below five years during the one-day campaign. The vaccine is being administered to all eligible children, irrespective of the number of doses they have previously received.
A total of 1,705 vaccination booths have been established across the district, including 1,243 booths in rural areas and 462 booths in urban areas. Vaccination services are available from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. at government hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), sub-health centres and nutrition centres.
Special attention is being given to children of migrant workers, those living in brick kiln settlements, Narikuravar habitations and Sri Lankan refugee rehabilitation camps to ensure that no eligible child is left out of the immunisation drive.
In addition to fixed vaccination booths, mobile vaccination teams have been deployed at bus stands, railway stations and Madurai Airport to reach children travelling with their families.
To ensure smooth implementation, special monitoring officers have been deputed by the Directorate of Public Health. The campaign is supervised by 13 officials from the district administration, 17 officials from the Health Department, and 330 supervisors at the Primary Health Centre level.
A total of 7,412 personnel have been engaged in the campaign, including 1,083 Health Department staff, 2,545 Nutrition Department workers, and 42 volunteers from non-governmental organisations, along with other supporting personnel. The campaign is supported by 101 vehicles, including 44 vehicles from the Public Health Department and 57 vehicles from other government departments.
Appealing to parents, Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar urged them to bring all children below five years of age to the nearest vaccination booth, even if they had previously received multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine. He stressed that every additional dose is essential to safeguard children and help keep India free from polio.
The event was attended by Madurai North MLA A. Kallanai, Madurai South MLA M.M. Gobison, Madurai Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, IAS, Government Rajaji Hospital Dean Dr. Arul Sundareshkumar, and several senior government officials.