The Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, today inaugurated the Model Immunization Centre (MIC) and launched the State-Level Pulse Polio Campaign at the Urban Community Health Centre (UCHC), Sector 22, Chandigarh. The Hon’ble Governor was accompanied by Shri V.P. Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the Administrator, UT Chandigarh.
The campaign was formally launched with the administration of two drops of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to children in the 0–5 years age group by the Hon’ble Governor, reaffirming the Chandigarh Administration’s commitment to protecting every child against polio and sustaining India’s polio-free status.
Secretary Health, Chandigarh Administration, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, IAS, welcomed the Chief Guest and highlighted the Administration’s sustained efforts towards achieving universal immunization coverage. The newly inaugurated Model Immunization Centre at UCHC, Sector 22, is the fifth such centre established in Chandigarh.
Designed to provide a child-friendly, safe and comfortable vaccination environment, the centre features dedicated vaccination areas, a play zone for children during the post-vaccination observation period and a breastfeeding corner to ensure privacy and convenience for nursing mothers.
During his visit, the Hon’ble Governor inspected various sections of the Model Immunization Centre and reviewed the healthcare facilities available at UCHC, Sector 22. Dr. Sadbhavna Pandit, Officiating Director Health Services, briefed the Chief Guest about the various achievements and ongoing activities under the Universal Immunization Programme.
The Hon’ble Governor appreciated the efforts of the Health Department in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for children and their parents. Addressing the gathering, the Administrator UT Chandigarh emphasized the importance of achieving 100 per cent immunization coverage and urged all stakeholders to ensure that no eligible child is left behind.
He commended the dedication and tireless efforts of doctors, nursing personnel, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and field staff in implementing immunization programmes across the city. For the successful implementation of the Pulse Polio Campaign in Chandigarh, 478 Pulse Polio booths have been established for administering polio drops to children in the 0–5 years age group.
In addition, 1,078 vaccination teams have been deployed across the Union Territory to ensure complete coverage. On June 29 and 30, 2026, these teams will conduct intensive house-to-house visits to identify and vaccinate children who may have missed the polio dose during the booth-based campaign.
The Health Department, Chandigarh, is also implementing a unique night immunization initiative titled “Taare Zameen Par – Night Vigil.” The initiative aims to administer polio drops to children of migrant labourers, homeless families, rag-pickers and other vulnerable populations who may not be accessible during the daytime campaign.
Four special “Taare Zameen Par – Night Vigil” teams, each comprising a supervisor, police personnel, vaccinator and driver, have been constituted. These teams commence their activities daily from 7:00 PM onwards to reach children residing in difficult-to-access and underserved areas.
The event was attended by Dr. Manjeet Singh, NO-NHM-cum-District Immunization Officer, programme officers and senior officers of the Health Department, doctors from GMCH-32 and PGIMER, nursing staff, ANMs and representatives from WHO, UNDP, John Snow India and other partner organizations. On the occasion, the Hon’ble Administrator also distributed gift hampers to children who received vaccination, encouraging greater community participation in immunization activities.
The programme concluded with a group photograph of the participants with the Chief Guest. His words of encouragement motivated the doctors, vaccinators and healthcare staff to continue their dedicated efforts towards the successful implementation of the campaign.
On the first day of the campaign, around 34,835 children were administered polio drops across Chandigarh. The Health Department, UT Chandigarh, has appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that children who may have missed vaccination at the Pulse Polio booths receive polio drops during the ongoing house-to-house activities on June 29 and 30, 2026.