Thiruvananthapuram28 June (H.S.): Kerala will conduct its annual Pulse Polio Immunisation campaign on Sunday, aiming to administer oral polio vaccine drops to nearly 19.8 lakh children below the age of five as part of the nationwide effort to sustain India's polio-free status and prevent the re-emergence of the disease.

The State-level inauguration will be held at 8 a.m. at the Mother and Child Hospital in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan will formally launch the campaign, while Transport Minister C. P. John will preside over the function.

The Health Department has made extensive arrangements to ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine. A total of 22,288 vaccination booths have been set up across Kerala at government health institutions, anganwadi centres, schools and other designated locations to facilitate easy access for parents and children.

To reach families on the move, the department has also established 539 transit booths at major transport hubs and public places, 283 mobile vaccination units to cover remote and underserved areas, and nine special booths at festival and fair venues where large crowds are expected.

Health officials have urged parents and guardians to bring all children below the age of five to the nearest vaccination booth, regardless of whether they have previously received routine immunisation or earlier doses of the oral polio vaccine.

Special follow-up visits have also been planned to ensure no eligible child is left out of the campaign. Health workers will conduct door-to-door immunisation drives on June 29 and June 30, visiting households where children may have missed receiving the vaccine at the designated booths.

The annual campaign remains a crucial public health initiative to maintain population immunity against poliomyelitis and safeguard future generations from the highly infectious viral disease.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman