Telangana to hold Pulse Polio immunization drive in six districts on Oct 12

Hyderabad: Telangana Medical and Health Department will conduct a special Pulse Polio immunisation drive on October 12 across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal, Sangareddy, Hanamkonda, and Warangal, as part of a national effort to prevent the resurgence of poliovirus in India.

Drive Aimed at Children Under Five

According to health officials, all children below five years of age in these districts will be administered two drops of oral polio vaccine (OPV). Mobile teams and health workers will also visit houses, bus stands, railway stations, and public places to ensure no child is left out.

“This is a preventive measure to sustain India’s polio-free status. Even though the country has not reported a case since 2011, the risk of reintroduction remains due to international transmission,” said Dr. B. Laxmi Rao, speaking to Newsmeter.

Focus on High-Risk Areas

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has identified 290 districts across India for intensified immunisation coverage, based on migratory population density, cross-border travel, and urban crowding. Telangana’s six districts were included due to high population mobility and interstate linkages.

“Urban areas like Hyderabad and Warangal have significant floating populations, including migrant workers from different states. Maintaining full immunisation in these regions is critical,” explained Dr. Shailaja Rao, Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist.

Regional Polio Concerns

The renewed drive follows reports of recurring polio cases in Bangladesh and Pakistan over the past three years. Health authorities fear that international travel could allow reintroduction of the virus into regions with immunity gaps.

“Polio spreads silently through contaminated water and poor sanitation. With fresh cases emerging in neighbouring countries, it’s essential for India to maintain immunity through periodic campaigns,” said Dr. Rao.

What Is Polio?

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects young children and can lead to permanent paralysis within hours of infection. The virus spreads through the faeco-oral route, often due to contaminated food or water.

There is no cure for polio; prevention relies entirely on vaccination. The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) triggers immune protection in the intestines, blocking virus replication and transmission.

India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014, following three consecutive years without a single reported case.

Maintaining Vigilance

Public health experts have repeatedly emphasised that sustaining polio-free certification requires continued surveillance and vaccination coverage above 95%.

“The danger lies not in complacency but in gaps in routine immunisation. A single missed cluster of children can allow the virus to resurface,” said Dr. Rao.

The Health Department has urged parents to bring their children to the nearest polio booth or outreach centre on October 12, and to cooperate with field teams conducting home visits.

For further information, citizens can contact local Primary Health Centres or the district medical officers in their respective regions.