5,406 kids vaccinated on day one of Mizoram’s Lunglei polio drive

Aizawl: As part of the nationwide Sub-National Immunisation Day (SNID) campaign, a district-wide polio vaccination drive was conducted on Tuesday across Lunglei district in south Mizoram, during which 5,406 children under five years of age received the oral polio vaccine (OPV), accounting for 44.9% of the district’s target coverage.A total of 199 vaccination booths were set up across 157 villages, along with three transit camps, to ensure comprehensive coverage. The district-level launch was organised at Lunglei Venglai Anganwadi Centre-I, where deputy commissioner Navneet Mann inaugurated the campaign.In her address, Mann stressed that although India was declared polio-free, continued immunisation is crucial to prevent re-importation of the virus from neighbouring countries.

She also underscored the importance of teamwork and community participation, urging health workers to ensure full coverage during the three-day campaign.District immunisation officer Christina Zonunmawii briefed attendees on the objectives and significance of SNID, outlining the district’s action plan. Following the launch, the deputy commissioner and other officials administered the first drops of oral polio vaccine (OPV) to children present.

Child development project officer R Lalhmingliani delivered the vote of thanks.This year, SNID is being implemented in four health districts of Mizoram — Champhai (covering Champhai and Khawzawl), Lunglei (covering Lunglei and Hnahthial), Lawngtlai, and Siaha. All children born after Oct 14, 2020, and below five years of age are to receive two drops of OPV.Lunglei district has set a target of immunising 12,028 children.

As of 3pm on Tuesday, 5,406 children had received the vaccine — 44.9% of the target — with reports from several villages still pending. Health teams comprising Health & Wellness Officers, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff will conduct house-to-house visits on Oct 15 and 16 to reach children missed during booth activities.India recorded its last polio case on Jan 13, 2011, and was declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on March 27, 2014. However, due to ongoing detection of polio cases in neighbouring countries, periodic SNID drives remain essential to safeguard the nation’s polio-free status.Lunglei district also continues environmental surveillance, with stool samples regularly collected for laboratory testing. Between April and Aug 2025, three samples were collected — all tested negative for the poliovirus.