Pulse Polio Campaign Set for June 28 in Rajasthan: Health Dept on High Alert After Cases Surface in Neighboring Countries

JAIPUR: In a proactive move to safeguard the state’s children from a potential polio resurgence, the Rajasthan health department has announced a statewide Pulse Polio campaign scheduled for June 28, 2026. The decision follows a high-level State Immunization Task Force meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Dr. Jogaram, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM). The campaign, designated as “Polio Sunday,” will focus on administering oral polio drops to every child under the age of five across all districts to mitigate risks following reports of polio cases in neighboring nations.

Key Highlights of this News:

• Statewide Campaign: The National Pulse Polio drive will take place across all districts of Rajasthan on June 28, 2026.
• Heightened Vigilance: The initiative serves as a precautionary measure after new polio cases were detected in neighboring countries.
• Target Audience: Health officials have been instructed to ensure 100% coverage for all children aged 0 to 5 years.
• Collaborative Effort: Multiple departments, including Education, Panchayati Raj, and Women & Child Development, will coordinate with global partners like WHO and UNICEF.

“No Child Should Be Left Behind”

During the meeting, NHM Mission Director Dr. Jogaram emphasized the necessity of seamless coordination between various government departments to ensure the campaign’s success. He stressed the importance of mass awareness and extensive publicity to encourage parents to bring their children to the vaccination booths. Dr. Jogaram further directed officials to complete the training of frontline workers and conduct district-level committee meetings to streamline logistics and management.

Response to Cross-Border Risks

The urgency of this campaign was highlighted by Dr. Madhu Rateshwar, Director of RCH, who noted that the recent emergence of polio cases in neighboring countries has placed Rajasthan at potential risk. To prevent any local transmission, the state has prioritized this massive immunization drive. Beyond the polio efforts, the task force also reviewed the progress of the routine immunization program and the ongoing HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign, providing necessary directives for their continued advancement.

High-Level Participation

The meeting saw participation from several senior officials, including Dr. T. Shubhamangala (Additional Mission Director, NHM), Dr. Raghuraj Singh (Project Director, Immunization), and representatives from the Department of Information and Public Relations. Key development partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and NIPI were also present to offer technical and strategic support for the upcoming drive.