The State Task Force for Immunization (STFI) on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the Pulse Polio Campaign scheduled across Himachal Pradesh on June 28, with Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi directing all departments to extend full support for the successful implementation of the drive.
Chairing a meeting of the STFI committee, the Health Secretary said all necessary arrangements are being put in place and confirmed that polio vaccine supplies have already been dispatched to all districts. Discussions focused on ensuring adequate manpower, effective booth management, mobilization of eligible children, house-to-house outreach, verification activities and strong monitoring mechanisms.
The Health Department also urged industrial establishments to spread awareness among workers and their families to ensure maximum participation in the campaign. Active involvement of Mahila Mandals, local institutions and field-level functionaries was emphasized to make the immunization drive a people’s movement.
Officials highlighted that India has remained free of wild poliovirus since 2011. In Himachal Pradesh, the last case of Wild Poliovirus Type-3 was reported in Solan in 2009, while the last case of Wild Poliovirus Type-1 was recorded in Kullu in 2006.
Stressing the importance of sustained vigilance, M. Sudha Devi said maintaining high immunization coverage is crucial to safeguarding the gains achieved in polio eradication and ensuring that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine.
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