The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) on Tuesday held a media sensitisation workshop and press conference to create awareness ahead of the National Immunisation Day (NID) for Polio, scheduled to be observed on December 21, 2025. The programme was chaired by Director of Health Services H.M. Sidharaju, who highlighted the importance of sustained vigilance despite India being declared polio-free.
Addressing the media, the Director said that although the last polio case in the country was reported in 2011 and India was certified polio-free in 2014, the risk of importation and circulation of the virus still persists, particularly in vulnerable and high-risk areas. He emphasised that continuous immunisation and robust surveillance are essential to prevent any resurgence of the disease.
Under the Pulse Polio Immunisation programme, booth-based vaccination activities will be conducted across the islands on December 21, where children in the eligible age group will be administered oral polio vaccine. Following the booth day, mop-up rounds and house-to-house surveys will be carried out to identify and vaccinate missed children, including those left out of routine immunisation.
The DHS appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that their children are brought to the nearest polio booths on the scheduled day. Special focus will be placed on identifying children who missed regular vaccinations during house surveys, with separate immunisation camps planned to cover such cases.
The Director also spoke about ongoing efforts towards measles and rubella eradication, urging the public to promptly report cases of fever with rash, which form a crucial component of disease surveillance. Strengthened monitoring of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), a key indicator for polio surveillance, will also continue, with health authorities advising immediate reporting of any sudden weakness or paralysis in children.
As part of its digital push, the department is working to make the immunisation process paperless. Vaccination records are being integrated with the U-WIN portal, enabling mothers’ and children’s details to be recorded through a mobile application to reduce dropout rates. Parents can self-register, book vaccination slots online, and generate vaccination certificates digitally.
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) will play a central role in field implementation, including special house-to-house visits for children with special needs, ensuring comprehensive coverage under the Pulse Polio drive.
