Mysuru: Mysuru district on Sunday launched its 2026 Pulse Polio immunisation campaign with a target of administering oral polio drops to 2,19,521 children below the age of five, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining India’s polio-free status.
The campaign was inaugurated by Tanveer Sait, who administered oral polio drops to children and called for continued public participation in the immunisation programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Tanveer Sait said sustained efforts by the State government and the Health Department had enabled India to remain free from polio.
Recalling a time when the disease affected thousands of children across the country, he said the collective efforts of healthcare workers, government agencies and the public had resulted in the successful eradication of polio.
Over 2.19 lakh children to be immunised
District Health Officer Dr P.C. Kumaraswamy said that 2,19,521 children under the age of five had been identified for immunisation during the campaign.
To achieve complete coverage, the Health Department has established 1,641 vaccination booths across Mysuru district. The extensive network of booths is aimed at ensuring that every eligible child receives the oral polio vaccine.
Health officials stressed that despite India being declared polio-free, maintaining high immunisation coverage remains essential to prevent the re-emergence of the disease.
Special arrangements for tourists and children on the move
Considering Mysuru’s status as a major tourist destination, the department has set up 49 special transit vaccination points at high-footfall locations.
These include Chamundi Hills, Mysore Palace and Mysuru Zoo.
The transit points are intended to vaccinate children who may miss the regular booth sessions while travelling with their families.
Additionally, three mobile teams have been stationed at bus stands and checkposts to ensure that children on the move are not left out of the immunisation programme.
Door-to-door campaign to cover over seven lakh households
The Health Department has also deployed 821 field teams to conduct door-to-door visits on June 29, June 30 and July 1 to identify children who may have missed receiving the vaccine at the booths.
The teams are expected to cover more than seven lakh households across the district. To oversee the campaign, 328 supervisors have been appointed.
Officials have further identified 1,396 high-risk locations, including remote tribal hamlets and difficult-to-reach habitations, where special efforts will be undertaken to ensure complete immunisation coverage.
To maintain the vaccine cold chain, the department has established 168 Ice-Lined Refrigerator (ILR) and deep freezer points across the district.
New Primary Health Centre inaugurated
On the occasion, Tanveer Sait also inaugurated a new Primary Health Centre at Badamakan, fulfilling a long-pending demand of local residents.
The facility has been established to strengthen healthcare services in the region and will provide primary healthcare services to the local population.
District Health Officer Dr Kumaraswamy said the new centre has been staffed with an MBBS doctor, two General Nursing and Midwifery-qualified nursing officers and a laboratory technician.
Specialists in eight disciplines, including gynaecology, paediatrics and general medicine, will provide services on a rotational basis through the Ayushmati Clinic. Patients requiring advanced treatment will be referred to higher medical facilities.
Officials also stated that there are plans to upgrade the Primary Health Centre into a Community Health Centre in the future, with permanent specialist services including a gynaecologist, anaesthetist and paediatrician.
Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi and other officials were present at the launch.