State to launch Pulse Polio drive from June 28 for over 61 lakh kids

PNS

Ranchi

The State government has finalised preparations for the National Pulse Polio Immunization Campaign, which will be conducted across the state from June 28 to 30, 2026. More than 6.12 million children below the age of five are expected to receive oral polio vaccine drops during the three-day drive.

A State-Level Task Force meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department Ajay Kumar Singh, was held on Thursday to review preparations, inter-departmental coordination and strategies for achieving full coverage under the campaign.

According to officials, a target has been set to administer polio drops to approximately 61.26 lakh children across Jharkhand. On the first day of the campaign, June 28, children will be vaccinated at 24,507 Pulse Polio booths established throughout the state. On June 29 and 30, health workers will conduct door-to-door visits to reach children who may have missed vaccination at the booths.

Addressing the meeting, Singh directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination and transform the campaign into a mass public movement. He emphasized the active involvement of departments such as ICDS, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, School Education, and Information and Public Relations to ensure maximum outreach and participation.

He said Anganwadi workers, Sahiyas, Panchayat representatives, self-help groups and grassroots-level organizations should play a proactive role in spreading awareness about the importance of polio immunization. Media organizations were also urged to help disseminate information to every village, hamlet and urban settlement across the state.

The Additional Chief Secretary instructed all Deputy Commissioners to hold daily review and debriefing meetings during the campaign to assess progress and identify gaps. Immediate corrective measures should be taken wherever cases of missed children, low coverage, team absenteeism or vaccine resistance are reported.

Although India has remained free from wild poliovirus since 2011, officials stressed that continued vigilance is essential as the virus is still present in some countries. Parents have been urged to ensure that every child under five receives polio drops, regardless of previous doses, as repeated immunization remains crucial for sustaining a polio-free status.