Gandhinagar: Gujarat has officially launched its statewide Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign 2026, reinforcing India’s continued commitment to maintaining its polio-free status. The initiative was inaugurated on June 28, 2026, in Gandhinagar by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who personally administered oral polio drops to children under the Polio Eradication Programme.
The campaign aims to immunise more than 83.49 lakh children aged between 0 and 5 years across the state, ensuring complete protection against the re-emergence of the disease.
Massive Vaccination Drive Across Gujarat
To achieve full coverage, the Gujarat Health Department has established an extensive vaccination network comprising:
- 32,997 polio vaccination booths across the state
- 65,994 trained health teams
- 6,599 supervisory officials overseeing implementation
These teams are tasked with ensuring that every eligible child receives the oral polio vaccine without exception.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the drive in the presence of Minister of State for Health Prafull Pansheriya, highlighting the government’s focus on strengthening preventive healthcare at the grassroots level.
Read also: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Inaugurates Shri Nitya-Shanti Bhavan in Ahmedabad, Pushes Education Drive
Polio Sunday Marked on June 28
June 28 was observed as “Polio Sunday,” during which fixed vaccination booths were set up across urban and rural areas. Parents were encouraged to bring their children under five years of age to nearby centres for timely immunisation.
The campaign emphasizes special attention to newborns and young children, ensuring early and complete vaccination coverage.
Door-to-Door Vaccination on June 29 and 30
To ensure no child is left unvaccinated, the campaign will continue with intensified house-to-house visits on June 29 and 30. Health workers will reach families who were unable to visit polio booths on the first day.
These door-to-door efforts aim to close any gaps in coverage and achieve universal immunisation across Gujarat.
Community Participation and Local Support Systems
The National Health Mission has mobilised strong community participation to support the campaign. Several stakeholders are actively involved, including:
- Panchayati Raj Institution representatives
- Gram Pradhans
- Urban local body officials
- School teachers
- Community volunteers
Their role is to encourage families to participate in the vaccination drive and ensure awareness at the grassroots level.
Additionally, ASHA workers have prepared detailed lists of eligible children in their respective areas to track coverage and ensure no child is missed.
Continued Vigilance Despite India Being Polio-Free
Although India has been declared polio-free since 2011, health authorities continue to emphasise the importance of sustained immunisation efforts.
Officials have warned that wild poliovirus still circulates in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, making continued vigilance essential. They reiterated that every Pulse Polio round plays a crucial role in maintaining India’s immunity barrier and preventing the reintroduction of the disease.
The Gujarat Pulse Polio Campaign 2026 represents a large-scale preventive health initiative aimed at safeguarding millions of children. With strong government leadership, extensive health infrastructure, and active community participation, the state is working toward ensuring complete immunisation coverage and sustaining India’s polio-free status.
