Ballari Mayor P. Gadeppa on Sunday launched the National Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme by administering oral polio vaccine to children below five years of age and urged parents to ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine to help build a healthy society.

The programme was organised by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the District Health and Family Welfare Department and the District Hospital on the MCH Hospital premises in Ballari.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gadeppa said that although India was declared polio-free years ago, immunisation must continue as a preventive measure to strengthen children’s immunity and ensure that the disease does not re-emerge.

He appealed to health officials to create greater public awareness and encourage maximum participation in the campaign.

Chairman of the District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority K.E. Chidanandappa said that healthy mothers and children are essential for a prosperous nation.

He noted that India was declared polio-free in 2014 following the success of the Pulse Polio programme launched in 1995 and stressed that the vaccination drive must continue to protect future generations from disability caused by the virus.

Describing the two drops of oral polio vaccine as “a drop of life” for every child below five years of age, he appealed to parents to ensure that no child is left out of the immunisation campaign.

Health officials said that the four-day Pulse Polio campaign, being held from June 28 to July 1, aims to cover 1,99,703 children below the age of five across Ballari district.

Vaccination was administered at designated booths on the first day, while health workers will undertake door-to-door visits over the next three days to cover eligible children in 3.49 lakh households.

To ensure complete coverage, 15 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed at major hospitals, bus stands and railway stations.

A total of 3,10,143 vaccine doses (12,711 vials) has been kept ready for the campaign. Special focus is also being given to migrant settlements, construction labour camps, nomadic communities and other high-risk areas.

Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited Vice-Chairman H. Lakshman, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Haris Sumair, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Yella Ramesh Babu, District RCH Officer Hanumanthappa, District Surgeon N. Basareddy, Health Department officials and staff were present.