In a concerted effort to maintain India's polio-free status and protect the youngest members of society, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation is gearing up for a Pulse Polio Vaccination Campaign scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023. Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, the Health Department has meticulously planned and organized the vaccination drive targeting children between the ages of 0 and 5.

“Despite India being declared polio-free, the Pulse Polio campaign is a proactive measure to ensure the virus doesn't stage a comeback, especially considering its persistence in some other countries”, said an official from the health department.

The comprehensive campaign aims to vaccinate an estimated 89,197 children in the 0 to 5 age group across the municipal corporation jurisdiction. To achieve this goal, a network of 725 booths has been established, including 605 permanent booths, 93 transit booths, and 27 mobile booths, strategically positioned across 24 civil primary health centres.

Transit and mobile teams have been deployed to busy public spaces such as malls, railway stations, and bus stands to reach a wider audience. A city task force committee meeting chaired by Municipal Medical Health Officer Dr. Prashant Javade reviewed the campaign's planning, emphasizing the importance of successful implementation.

Medical officers, nurses, ASHA workers, and volunteers underwent training sessions to ensure the efficient execution of the Pulse Polio Vaccination Campaign. The municipal area has been adorned with public awareness posters and banners, aiming to inform and encourage community participation, the official informed. “On the campaign day, volunteers at vaccination booths are trained to handle infants with care, avoiding unnecessary contact.

For children who miss the vaccination on December 10, a dedicated team of 888 members from the Health Department will conduct door-to-door visits over the next five days to administer the polio vaccine.