Bengaluru, Dec. 21: Reiterating India’s commitment to safeguarding children against polio, the National Pulse Polio Programme 2025 was officially inaugurated in Bengaluru North by Pommala Sunil Kumar, Commissioner of the Bengaluru North City Corporation, at the Amruthahalli Primary Health Centre on Sunday.
The Commissioner formally launched the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp and administering polio drops to children, marking the beginning of the four-day immunisation drive being conducted from December 21 to December 24, 2025, under the Public Health Department.
Although India has remained polio-free since 2011 and was officially certified as a Polio-Free Nation by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, health authorities stressed that continued vigilance is essential, especially as polio cases are still reported in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pulse Polio 2025: Action Plan at a Glance
Within the Bengaluru North City Corporation limits, the programme targets:
- Total population: 24.55 lakh
- Total households: 5.89 lakh
- Children aged 0–5 years: 2.70 lakh
- Slum areas: 1,127
- Children (0–5) in slum areas: 1.23 lakh
- Migrant population areas: 779
- Migrant children (0–5): 2,785
To ensure comprehensive coverage, 932 vaccination booths have been set up, including 726 fixed booths, supported by 101 transit teams and 105 mobile teams. A workforce of 3,728 vaccination personnel and 186 supervisors has been deployed for effective execution.
Extensive Coverage Across the City
Pulse Polio vaccination is being carried out in all wards through fixed booths at Urban Primary Health Centres, Namma Clinics, dispensaries, Anganwadi centres, maternity hospitals, and schools. Additionally, mobile and transit teams have been stationed at bus stands, railway stations, government hospitals, malls, private nursing homes, medical colleges, major markets, slum pockets, and other high-footfall locations.
Health Officers, Deputy Health Officers, and Medical Officers of Health have been designated as nodal officers to monitor and supervise the programme.
Awareness & Public Participation
To maximise outreach, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched extensive awareness campaigns through newspapers, banners, hoardings, audio announcements, social media platforms, door-to-door drives, and official digital platforms. Parents can also locate the nearest Pulse Polio booth using a QR code-based location system provided by GBA.
The programme continues to receive strong support from organisations such as World Health Organization, Rotary International, UNICEF, UNDP, Lions Club, and other non-governmental organisations.
Appeal to Parents
Health officials have appealed to parents to bring all children below five years of age to the nearest booth on the scheduled dates, even if they have received polio drops earlier, emphasising that repeated doses are crucial to sustaining a polio-free future.
“Two Drops of Polio Vaccine – Continuous Protection Against Polio,” the civic body reiterated, urging citizens to extend full cooperation for the success of the campaign.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಉತ್ತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಲ್ಸ್ ಪೋಲಿಯೋ ಅಭಿಯಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಚಾಲನೆ: ಆಯುಕ್ತರಿಂದ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಲಸಿಕೆ ಹನಿಗಳು
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