Mass pulse polio vaccination across Tripura on Sunday

The nationwide Pulse Polio Immunization programme will once again be conducted across the country on Sunday, including Tripura, to maintain India’s polio-free status.

Giving details at a press conference on Saturday, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Saju Vaheed, said that National Immunization Day will be observed on December 21, 2025, during which the Pulse Polio vaccination drive will be carried out across the state.

Vaheed said that although India has been polio-free for the past 14 years, cases of polio have recently been reported in some neighboring countries, posing a potential risk of reintroduction of the virus into India. To prevent this, regular Pulse Polio campaigns are being conducted.

“The objective of this programme is to administer two drops of the polio vaccine to every child below five years of age. These two drops can protect children from the risk of lifelong paralysis,” he said.

Temporary vaccination booths will be set up at schools, sub-health centres, Anganwadi centres, hospitals and other designated locations across Tripura. The Health Department has made extensive preparations to ensure the success of the campaign.

According to Vaheed, 3, 40,874 children aged between 0 and 5 years will be covered under the programme. A total of 13,636 vaccinators will administer polio drops at 3,409 vaccination booths, while 682 supervisors will oversee the entire operation.

Children who miss the vaccination on December 21 will be covered through a door-to-door campaign on December 22 and 23, conducted by ASHA workers and other health staff.

The Health Department has also launched special surveillance and public awareness initiatives to ensure that no child is left out of the programme. “Two drops today ensure a healthy life tomorrow,” Vaheed said.

The press conference was also attended by Joint Mission Director of NHM Dr. Nupur Debbarma, Member Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Society Dr. Shouvik Debbarma, State Immunization Officer Dr. Sribas Debbarma, and other officials.