The Kerala health department has finalized plans to administer oral polio vaccine drops to 19,80,224 children under five on June 28, 2026. Backed by 46,663 volunteers across 22,288 booths and 539 transit locations, the drive includes follow-up house visits on June 29–30 to ensure complete immunization coverage.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India — The Kerala State Government on Wednesday finalized intensive healthcare arrangements to administer oral polio vaccine drops to nearly 19.8 lakh children across all 14 districts. Formally announced by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on June 24, 2026, the state-wide Pulse Polio Immunization campaign is scheduled to commence on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The high-priority public health mobilization is structurally designed to protect every child under the age of five against potential wild poliovirus variations, maintaining India’s long-standing status as a polio-free nation.
Deploying a Multi-Tier Booth and Volunteer Grid
To manage the enormous logistical scope of the single-day drive, the state has mapped out a synchronized distribution network composed of 22,288 dedicated vaccination booths. The comprehensive network will be operated by 46,663 specially trained health volunteers, accredited social health activists (ASHAs), and Anganwadi workers who completed intensive handling protocols earlier this month.
The physical booths are being set up at highly accessible civic points to maximize community coverage. Locations include government hospitals, primary healthcare centers, citizen health hubs, Anganwadis, private clinics, community libraries, and neighborhood public schools.
Catching Moving Targets via Mobile Transit Units
Recognizing that traveling families and migrant populations face the highest risk of missing standard neighborhood stations, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has heavily integrated mobile tracking frameworks into the campaign. The state will operate 539 specialized transit booths alongside 283 fully equipped mobile units.
These transit stations will be permanently stationed throughout Sunday at major domestic travel gateways, including local railway platforms, inter-state bus terminals, public boat jetties, airport arrival lounges, and prominent seasonal festivals or local markets. Officials confirmed that special tracking teams will also be sent into urban construction sectors, brick kilns, and nomadic community settlements to ensure no child is left unprotected.
House-to-House Sweeps Safeguard Missing Doses
The state-level inaugural launch of the campaign will be led by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan at the Thycaud Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram at 8:00 AM on June 28. The ceremony will be presided over by Transport Minister C. P. John, with senior administrative leaders and local representatives in attendance.
For families unable to reach a static center on Sunday, the health department has built an active safety net into the program. Starting Monday, June 29, and continuing through Tuesday, June 30, 2026, health personnel will perform consecutive door-to-door tracking sweeps across all local neighborhoods to check tracking markers and vaccinate any children missed during the primary booth day.
Quote Section
"We appeal to every parent and guardian across Kerala to prioritize this single-day drive," emphasized Health Minister K. Muraleedharan during the media briefing. "According to officials, children must receive these oral drops on June 28 even if they have routinely completed their standard calendar vaccinations. Organizers stated that maintaining high population immunity is our primary weapon to prevent any imported strains from entering our communities."
Why It Matters
For parents and local communities, the massive rollout represents a critical layer of preventative protection against a highly infectious virus that can cause permanent physical paralysis. By building a comprehensive net of static, mobile, and door-to-door tracking operations, the state successfully prevents gaps in immunity that can easily occur during seasonal population shifts. For the broader public health landscape, this synchronized state effort helps keep India firmly anchored within the global polio-free zone, safeguarding overall healthcare resources from preventable disease outbreaks.
Key Facts at a Glance
Massive Target Scale: Configured to deliver oral polio vaccines to exactly 19,80,224 children under five years old.
Widespread Local Grid: Establishes 22,288 high-access community booths run by 46,663 trained health volunteers.
Transit Protections: deploys 539 transit stations at railway hubs, bus stands, and boat jetties to reach traveling families.
Door-to-Door Backup: Schedules comprehensive two-day home audits on June 29 and 30 to reach any children who missed booth day.
Proven Safety Track: Uses high-quality, World Health Organization (WHO) certified oral drops to ensure complete safety across all demographics.
FAQ Section
My child was vaccinated under the regular hospital schedule last month. Do they still need these drops?
Yes. The National Pulse Polio campaign provides an extra, synchronized layer of mass protection. Children must receive the oral drops during this drive regardless of their past routine vaccination history.
What should we do if we are traveling outside our home district on Sunday, June 28?
You can easily find the vaccine at any major transit node. The health department has deployed 539 transit booths directly inside bus stations, railway platforms, airport exits, and boat jetties across the state.
Are there any side effects associated with the oral polio vaccine drops used in this campaign?
No. The vaccine drops utilized across India are safe, highly effective, and globally approved by the World Health Organization. They have been safely given to hundreds of millions of children worldwide to successfully eliminate poliovirus.
What happens if my child misses the main vaccination booth day on Sunday?
There is a built-in safety net. Trained healthcare workers will conduct dedicated door-to-door visits throughout Monday, June 29, and Tuesday, June 30, to ensure every child who missed booth day is reached.
Source: Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Government of Kerala, Policy Briefings from the Office of the Health Minister (June 24, 2026), National Immunization Grid Protocols monitored by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
