Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 18: The 2025 Pulse Polio immunisation programme will be conducted across Dakshina Kannada district on December 21, during which 1,41,594 children aged below five years will be administered the life-saving polio vaccine, district health and family welfare officer Dr H R Thimmayya announced.
Speaking at a press conference held at the District Health and Family Welfare Officer’s office here on Thursday, Dr Thimmayya said extensive arrangements have been put in place to ensure complete coverage. A total of 956 vaccination booths will function across the district, comprising 921 fixed booths, 32 transit booths, and three mobile booths in Mangaluru city.
Giving a taluk-wise break-up, he said 29,203 children will be covered in Bantwal, 18,091 in Belthangady, 66,062 in Mangaluru, 19,958 in Puttur, and 8,280 in Sullia. To facilitate smooth vaccination, 202 booths have been set up in Bantwal, 166 in Belthangady, 363 in Mangaluru, 148 in Puttur, and 77 in Sullia.
In addition to fixed booths, transit teams will administer the vaccine at bus stands, railway stations and the airport, ensuring that children on the move are not missed. “Every effort will be made to ensure that not a single child is left unvaccinated,” Dr Thimmayya said.
On December 21, all children in the 0–5 age group will be given two drops of the polio vaccine between 8 am and 5 pm. For children who are unable to receive the vaccine on the scheduled day, follow-up immunisation will be carried out through door-to-door visits, with teams covering urban areas on December 22, 23 and 24, and rural areas on December 22 and 23.
Highlighting the importance of the programme, Dr Thimmayya said the Pulse Polio campaign, launched in 1995–96, has delivered “remarkable results”. Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through contaminated food or water and can cause permanent physical disability in children.
The virus primarily affects children under five years of age and attacks the nervous system. Initial symptoms include sore throat, headache, vomiting, back pain and muscle pain, which may progress to nervous system damage, muscle weakness and respiratory complications. “There is no cure for polio, but it can be effectively prevented through vaccination,” he stressed.
Dr Thimmayya noted that India reported its last polio case on January 13, 2011, while Karnataka recorded its last case in 2007. On March 27, 2014, India was officially removed from the list of polio-endemic countries, marking a major public health milestone.
RCH officer Dr Rajesh and health education officer Jyothi were present at the press conference.