A child is given polio drops at the Pulse Polio camp in Vijayawada. | Photo credit: KVS Giri
District Medical Officer and Health Officer (DMHO) E.B. Devi called on all members of society to contribute to eradicating polio.
The DMHO announced a rally organized under the National Polio Awareness Program on Saturday (June 27, 2026) at the local arts college premises in Anantapur. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Devi said that polio drops will be administered to children under five years of age across the district from June 28 (Sunday) to July 1.
She urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against polio, keeping in mind their bright future. She noted that administering polio drops helped protect children from long-term illness. She called on all community members to ensure the success of the polio vaccination program.
The DMHO said that 2,83,430 children aged 0 to 5 years have been identified and 5,247 personnel have been deployed to administer polio drops. Polio drops will be administered at a total of 1,623 kiosks in rural and urban areas.
Special units and mobile groups have been created at bus stops, train stations and gathering places. Stressing that public participation is key to the success of the Pulse Polio programme, she urged people to bring all children under five years of age to polio centres.
The rally started at the College of Arts, walked through the Clock Tower to Sapthagiri Square, where participants carried placards and slogans for a polio-free society, and then formed a human chain. The DMHO made a promise to the participants, conveying a message of commitment to eradicate polio.
Within Kurnool Municipal Corporation limits, 229 centers have been set up to administer polio drops to 82,964 children in the city, Commissioner Challa Obulesu said. He urged parents to take their children to the nearest polio centers and ensure they receive polio drops.
The commissioner said polio causes permanent disability in children but is completely preventable with polio drops. For those who are unable to visit the kiosks, special teams will conduct door-to-door visits on June 29 and 30 to distribute drops.
Published โ Jun 27, 2026 2:03 pm EST.