Pulse Polio drive launched in Bhatkal-Sirsi; Over 1.04 lakh children targeted in Uttara Kannada

Bhatkal: 23 December,2025 (Bhatkallys News Bureau) State Minister and Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Mankal S. Vaidya on Sunday launched the pulse polio immunisation drive by administering polio drops to children at the meeting hall of the Nichalmakki Venkataraman Temple in the Asarakeri area of Bhatkal.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said the government is making sustained efforts to completely eradicate polio and stressed that public cooperation is essential for the success of the campaign. He said special emphasis has been placed on ensuring that no child below the age of five is left out, with vaccination teams conducting door-to-door visits. He urged parents not to show hesitation or negligence and to ensure their children receive polio drops. The minister informed that the campaign will continue till December 24 and appreciated the services of doctors, health department staff, ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers involved in the drive.

In Sirsi, Assistant Commissioner Kavya Rani inaugurated the national pulse polio programme by administering polio drops to children at Kasturba School. Speaking on the occasion, she said a target has been set to vaccinate 1,04,581 children below the age of five across Uttara Kannada district.

To meet the target, 878 vaccination booths have been set up across the district, along with 33 transit teams and nine mobile teams. A total of 3,591 vaccination workers and 200 supervisors have been deployed for the campaign.

The Assistant Commissioner said that although India has been declared polio-free, continued vaccination remains necessary as a preventive measure. She appealed to parents to cooperate fully to ensure the success of the pulse polio programme.