Sri Vijaya Puram, June 28: The National Immunization Day (NID) for Polio Immunization was observed across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands today. The programme aimed to ensure that every child below five years of age received bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV), thereby strengthening protection against poliomyelitis and supporting India’s commitment to maintaining a polio-free status.
A total of 447 fixed vaccination booths were established across the Union Territory. Special arrangements were made at bus terminals, sea ports, inter-island vessels, and Veer Savarkar International Airport to vaccinate children travelling with their families. This extensive planning ensured maximum outreach and accessibility.
On the first day of the campaign, 18958 children out of an estimated target of 19,343 children in the 0–5 years age group were administered the polio vaccine, achieving an overall coverage of 98 percent. The district-wise coverage was as follows:
1) South Andaman – 96.66%
2) North and Middle Andaman – 100.6%
3) Nicobar – 101.3%
Total – 98.01%
Following the booth-based activity, house-to-house visits will be conducted on 29th & 30th June, 2026 to identify and vaccinate any children who may have been missed during the initial phase. Private medical practitioners and healthcare workers also actively participated in the campaign, contributing significantly to its success.
The State-level inaugural ceremony was held at Urban Health Centre (UHC), Junglighat. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. H. M. Siddaraju, Director of Health Services, who administered the first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine. During his address, he emphasized the importance of universal immunization and appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine. Shri Aziz Ur Rahman, Councilor Ward No.6, SVPMC, Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health)/State Immunization Officer, along with other officials from the Directorate of Health Services, were also present on the occasion.
The successful implementation of National Immunization Day 2026 demonstrates the strong commitment of the Health Department, partner agencies, and the community towards safeguarding children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The achievement of nearly 100 percent coverage reflects effective planning, coordination, and public participation, ensuring continued protection of children and strengthening public health in the Islands.