Kathua, June 28: Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, on Sunday launched the three-day Pulse Polio Immunization Campaign at Government Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Kathua, reaffirming the district administration's commitment to achieving 100 percent immunization coverage for children below five years of age.
The campaign was formally inaugurated with the Deputy Commissioner administering polio drops to children and urging parents and caregivers to ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized that India has remained polio-free through sustained immunization efforts and called upon all stakeholders to work collectively to preserve this achievement by leaving no child unvaccinated.
He informed that more than one lakh children aged 0–5 years are expected to be covered during the district-wide campaign. While June 28 has been designated for vaccination at all Government health institutions, June 29 and 30 will witness extensive door-to-door visits by health workers to identify and vaccinate children who may have missed the initial round.
To ensure complete coverage, the district administration has deployed special teams in slum areas, migratory settlements, and major transit points, ensuring that children from vulnerable and mobile populations are not left out of the immunization drive.
The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the preparedness and arrangements made by the Health Department and directed field functionaries to work with dedication and coordination to achieve the campaign's objective of 100 percent Pulse Polio coverage across Kathua district.
The launch programme was attended by Additional Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Kathua Vishav Partap Singh, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vijay Raina, Medical Superintendent AH GMC Kathua Dr. Neeraj Nagpal, District Immunization Officer Dr. Vasna Sharma, and other senior health officials.
The Health Department has mobilized vaccination teams across the district to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign and to safeguard children from the threat of poliomyelitis.