Sun Oct 12 04:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided information:
**Kerala Launches Pulse Polio Immunization Drive to Eradicate Virus**
**Thiruvananthapuram:** Kerala has initiated its Pulse Polio immunization program today, aiming to administer polio drops to 21,11,010 children under the age of five across 13 districts (excluding Idukki). The campaign seeks to maintain the state’s polio-free status and prevent the virus from re-emerging.
Over 44,766 volunteers are stationed at 22,383 booths set up across the state. These booths are located in schools, Anganwadis, libraries, government health facilities, and private hospitals, and are open from 8 AM to 5 PM today. Transit booths at bus stands, railway stations, airports, and boat jetties will operate until 8 PM on October 12th, 13th, and 14th. Mobile booths will also be active during these dates in areas populated by migrant workers and at tourist destinations.
Health workers, along with ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, Kudumbashree members, and other volunteers, are manning the booths. For children who miss the polio drops today, volunteers will conduct door-to-door visits on October 13th and 14th to administer the vaccine.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving local self-government bodies, the Women and Child Development Department, Rotary International, and other NGOs.
While Kerala has not reported a polio case since 2000 and India has been polio-free since 2011, health officials emphasize the importance of continued vaccination. The World Health Organization declared India polio-free in March 2014, but the risk of the virus remains due to its presence in neighboring countries. The Health Minister stated that administering polio drops to all children under five is crucial to prevent any potential resurgence of the disease in the state.
First Piper 