Tamil Nadu Polio Vaccination Drive: CM Vijay Launches Special Camp Across 43,051 Centres

Tamil Nadu conducted a massive statewide Pulse Polio Immunisation Drive on Sunday, with Chief Minister Vijay launching the special campaign at the Government Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School in Palavakkam, Chennai.

The Health Department organised the vaccination drive at 43,051 centres across the state, including government hospitals, primary health centres, Anganwadi centres, schools and other public places. The campaign was held from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM to ensure that every child below the age of five received the life-saving polio vaccine.

To improve accessibility, temporary vaccination booths were also set up at bus stations, railway stations, toll plazas, check posts and airports. The special arrangements ensured that children travelling with their families and children of migrant workers living in Tamil Nadu were also covered under the programme.

More than 2 lakh healthcare workers, Anganwadi staff, teachers and volunteers participated in the statewide campaign, helping the Health Department reach thousands of families across urban and rural areas.

The government had fixed a target of vaccinating 52,91,093 children during the campaign. According to the Health Department, 51,86,792 children, accounting for 98.09% of the target, received polio drops on the first day of the drive. Vaccination at temporary centres continued for an additional day to cover children who could not attend the main camp.

The Pulse Polio programme remains one of India`s most successful public health initiatives, helping protect children from poliovirus and ensuring that Tamil Nadu continues to remain polio-free through regular immunisation efforts.