THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state-level launch of pulse polio immunisation drive started in the state Sunday morning. 24,49,222 children below the age of five will be given the oral polio vaccine in 24,690 booths. The drive which started at 8 am will end at 5 pm.

The polio booths are in anganawadis, schools, bus stands, health centres, libraries, airports, boat jettys and railway stations. The first dose of the vaccine was given in the presence of Health Minister K K Shailaja at the Vattiyoorkavu family health centre. V K Prasanth MLA and district panchayat president D Suresh Kumar were also present at the inauguration.