Kerala is set to launch its vital Pulse Polio Immunisation drive on Sunday, October 12, 2025. This initiative is a crucial part of a national effort to completely eradicate the polio virus from the region.
During this extensive campaign, an additional dose of the oral polio vaccine will be given to an impressive 2,111,010 children under the age of five across the state.
The Health Minister, Veena George, will officially kick off the drive at Kozhenchery Government High School in Pathanamthitta district.
To ensure wide coverage, the Health Department has meticulously prepared 22,383 special booths, including both transit and mobile units, located at various public and healthcare facilities. More than 44,766 dedicated volunteers will be on hand to staff these booths.
Most booths, found in schools, anganwadis, reading rooms, and both government and private hospitals, will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, those positioned at busy transit hubs like bus stands, railway stations, airports, and boat landing centers will extend their services until 8 p.m.
Crucially, mobile booths will continue to function on October 13 and 14. These will specifically target migrant labor camps and tourist areas, ensuring that no child misses out on their essential vaccination.
Ensuring Every Child is Protected
The Health Department has also organized comprehensive mop-up rounds. Health workers will conduct home visits to administer the vaccine to any children who might have been unable to attend the booths on October 12.
Kerala has been free of wild polio virus cases since 2000, and India achieved polio-free status in 2014, as certified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this progress, the threat of polio re-emerging persists due to the continued circulation of the wild polio virus in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Minister George urged all parents to prioritize their children’s health by ensuring that all children under five receive their oral polio vaccine on Sunday without fail.