Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, today kick-started the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme in the district. The campaign was formally kick-started at District Hospital Budgam, where the DC administered polio drops to children in the 0–5 years age group.
Chief Medical Officer Budgam, Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shahid Qadri, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Budgam, Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Kant, District Health Officer (DHO), District Immunization Officer (DIO), Block Medical Officers (BMOs), DPMU officials and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that all children in the 0–5 years age group across the district will be covered under the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme. He informed that 628 Pulse Polio booths have been established across Budgam district to ensure that no eligible child is left out.
The DC further stated that 8 transit vaccination points and 3 Mela Bazar booths have also been established to vaccinate children at transit locations and other public places, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the programme. He said that following the booth-based vaccination drive, house-to-house vaccination will be conducted on 29th 2026, during which health teams will visit every household to cover children who may have missed vaccination at the booths.
The district aims to cover 1,22,477 children below the age of five years under the campaign. The DC appealed to parents to cooperate with health workers and ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving polio drops in their nearest booths established across the District.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Budgam, Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Dar, informed that health workers, ASHA workers, ICDS workers and volunteers have been deployed at Pulse Polio booths across the district. He added that dedicated transit teams have also been constituted to vaccinate children at designated transit points, ensuring that no child is missed during the campaign.