Bengaluru has reported a significant yet incomplete success in its latest Pulse Polio immunisation drive. The campaign, held on December 21, which is observed nationwide as Pulse Polio Day, achieved an overall coverage of 95% across the city. However, official data reveals a concerning gap: 57,854 children remain unvaccinated and vulnerable to the disease.
Zone-Wise Performance and Vaccination Numbers
According to the data released by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), health officials administered the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to approximately 10.7 lakh (1.07 million) children. This was done against an ambitious target of reaching 11.3 lakh children. The immunisation drive was conducted comprehensively across all five civic corporations under the GBA: Central, West, East, South, and North.
The performance varied across different zones of the city. Bengaluru East zone emerged as the top performer, achieving an impressive 98% coverage of its target. The Central, South, and North zones each recorded a coverage rate of 95%. Unfortunately, the West zone lagged with the lowest coverage at 94%, highlighting an area that requires intensified focus in future drives.
The Challenge of Unvaccinated Children
Despite the high overall percentage, the raw numbers point to a substantial task ahead. The data indicates that the majority of the 57,854 unvaccinated children are concentrated in the West and North zones of Bengaluru. Identifying and reaching these children is now a critical priority for health authorities. The city's large, mobile, and often migrant population adds a layer of complexity to this crucial public health mission.
Safeguarding India's Polio-Free Status
The Pulse Polio Programme remains a cornerstone of India's public health strategy to maintain its hard-earned polio-free status, certified by the World Health Organization. Bengaluru, as a major metropolitan hub with constant inward and outward migration, plays a crucial role in this national effort. Even a small number of unvaccinated children can pose a risk of the virus re-emerging, making every immunisation drive vital for building and sustaining herd immunity.
The results of the December 21 drive underscore a successful mobilisation by health workers but also serve as a clear reminder that the mission is not complete. Authorities are expected to analyse the gaps and plan targeted interventions to ensure no child is left unprotected against polio.
