On the occasion of World Polio Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called upon parents across Uttarakhand to ensure that every child receives timely doses of the polio vaccine, reaffirming the state’s commitment to safeguarding future generations from preventable diseases.
Posting on X today, the Chief Minister wrote, “भारत की पोलियो पर जीत को बनाए रखने व नई पीढ़ी के स्वस्थ और सुरक्षित भविष्य के लिए अपने बच्चों को पोलियो की खुराक हर बार अवश्य पिलाएं” (To maintain India’s victory over polio and for a healthy and safe future for the new generation, make sure to give polio drops to your children every time).
Our correspondent reports that Uttarakhand, which was declared polio-free in 2014 along with the rest of India, continues to strengthen its pulse polio immunisation drive through rigorous outreach campaigns, door-to-door visits, and special awareness initiatives targeting remote and mountainous regions. The Chief Minister’s appeal aims to remind citizens not to become complacent about immunisation, as sustained vaccination remains crucial to preventing any resurgence of the virus.
भारत की पोलियो पर जीत को बनाए रखने व नई पीढ़ी के स्वस्थ और सुरक्षित भविष्य के लिए अपने बच्चों को पोलियो की खुराक हर बार अवश्य पिलाएं। pic.twitter.com/yuoufhyNfS
Our correspondent adds that the State Health Department has achieved near-universal coverage, administering oral polio drops to over six lakh children during the most recent National Immunisation Round. As per official figures, Uttarakhand’s immunisation coverage rate stands at over 99.5 percent, among the highest in the country. The state regularly conducts Sub-National Immunisation Days (SNIDs) in addition to National Immunisation Days (NIDs) to reach children under five years of age in both urban and rural areas.
Chief Minister Dhami lauded the efforts of health workers, ASHA volunteers, Anganwadi workers, and district administration teams, who have been instrumental in ensuring that even the most remote hamlets in the state remain covered under the pulse polio programme. He said the success against polio reflects the collective commitment of the people of Uttarakhand, and urged everyone to continue supporting immunisation campaigns with the same enthusiasm.
Officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department said that the state operates more than 7,500 immunisation booths across all districts during each polio round. These booths are supported by mobile teams that travel to snow-bound and hilly regions to administer vaccines. The department also conducts awareness campaigns through schools, panchayats, and local community centres to ensure that no child is missed.
Uttarakhand’s efforts have also included the use of digital tracking systems to monitor vaccination data and ensure real-time reporting from each district. Health officials said this technology-driven approach has improved efficiency and accountability in the state’s immunisation programme.
Experts believe that the Chief Minister’s renewed appeal on World Polio Day underscores the importance of maintaining herd immunity and public awareness. Although India has remained free of wild poliovirus for over a decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to emphasise vigilance due to occasional detections of vaccine-derived strains in neighbouring regions.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the government is fully committed to protecting children from all vaccine-preventable diseases. He said the state’s ongoing campaigns are part of a broader mission to ensure a healthy, disease-free, and resilient Uttarakhand, where every child receives equitable access to healthcare.
