Agartala, 28th June 2026: Tripura has launched a statewide Pulse Polio vaccination campaign as part of the National Immunization Day (NID) 2026, aiming to cover around 3.34 lakh children under the age of five, according to the Health Department.
Director of Health Services Dr. Debasree Debbarma said the large-scale immunization effort is designed to ensure that no eligible child is left out of protection against poliomyelitis. He noted that polio is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children aged 0–5 years and can cause permanent paralysis if it impacts the nervous system.
He explained that the virus spreads primarily through contaminated food and water or contact with infected fecal matter. Although India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014 after years of sustained Pulse Polio campaigns that began in 1995, continued vaccination efforts remain essential due to the risk of imported cases from other countries.
As part of this year’s drive in Tripura, 3,340 vaccination booths have been set up across the state. The campaign is being supported by approximately 13,360 health workers and 672 supervisors to ensure complete coverage of all eligible children.
The state-level launch was held at the West Bhubanban Primary Health Centre and formally inaugurated by Dr. Debasri Debbarma, who urged parents to ensure timely vaccination of every child under five. He emphasized that such initiatives are vital for maintaining a polio-free future.
Dr. Shovik Debbarma, Member Secretary of the State Health and Family Welfare Society, also addressed the event and highlighted the importance of community participation in making the immunization drive a success.
