Pulse Polio Drive in Hyderabad and Pune from October 12: Over 5 Lakh Children to Receive Oral Drops

The Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign 2025 begins October 12 in Hyderabad and Pune, targeting over 5.17 lakh children in Hyderabad and 3.12 lakh in Pune. Door-to-door visits and 2,843 booths ensure full coverage.

The Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign 2025 is set to commence in Hyderabad and Pune from October 12, aiming to vaccinate thousands of children under the age of five with oral polio vaccine (OPV) drops. In Hyderabad, the district administration will cover 5,17,238 children during the four-day campaign, which runs from October 12 to 15. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to prevent any resurgence of polio in India, with Hyderabad being one of six districts in Telangana participating in the special drive.

Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari announced that 2,843 polio booths will be established across the district, operating from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., to ensure accessibility for all children. In addition to booth-based vaccinations, over 11,200 health personnel will conduct door-to-door visits from October 13 to 15. The administration has identified 164 high-risk areas for targeted attention, aiming to cover approximately 9.36 lakh households during the drive. These measures are designed to guarantee that every child in the target age group receives the vaccine.

Similarly, in Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will administer polio drops to over 3.12 lakh children as part of the Sub-National Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign 2025. The Pune drive runs from October 12 to 17 and will operate through 1,350 vaccination booths, including dispensaries, maternity homes, and newly established health and wellness centres. House-to-house visits will be conducted to ensure complete coverage, and special arrangements have been made to vaccinate children traveling with families at bus stands, railway stations, metro stations, airports, and public parks. A total of 1,912 vaccination teams, supervised by 314 field supervisors and 15 head supervisors, will oversee the campaign.

To raise awareness ahead of the campaign, district health authorities organized rallies and auto-rickshaw awareness drives. Students from nursing colleges and urban ASHA workers actively participated, spreading the importance of polio vaccination to communities. Civil Surgeon Dr Swarnjeet Dhawan emphasized that although India is declared polio-free, these vaccination rounds are crucial to maintain the status and prevent any potential outbreak.

Dr Bharti Dhawan, District Immunisation Officer, reiterated that all arrangements have been completed for the Hyderabad drive. Teams and supervisors have been mobilized to ensure that no child under five is left unvaccinated, highlighting the government’s commitment to sustaining India’s polio-free status. Both Hyderabad and Pune’s campaigns reflect the importance of public cooperation, robust planning, and comprehensive coverage in eradicating polio and safeguarding the health of future generations.

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