Chennai, May 12 || The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to launch a comprehensive mass vaccination campaign for stray dogs across the city starting in July, officials said.
Targeting an estimated 1.8 lakh stray dogs, the drive will go beyond the routine anti-rabies immunisation to include protection against four other major diseases -- canine distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and leptospirosis.
GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran confirmed that the civic body is awaiting the delivery of 20,000 doses of a five-in-one vaccine from the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation. Each dose, priced at approximately Rs 200, is formulated to protect against all five diseases.
“This marks the second time we are administering non-rabies vaccines to stray dogs in Chennai,” said Kamal Hussain, GCC’s veterinary officer.
He added that the vaccinations will be carried out alongside the annual rabies shots and sterilisation procedures, forming a comprehensive healthcare plan for the city’s stray canine population.
Veterinarians warn that diseases like parvovirus and canine distemper are particularly rampant and lethal among strays. “If untreated, these infections have a mortality rate as high as 90 per cent,” said Dr R. Thangarajan, a veterinary expert.
“Early vaccination is crucial to prevent large-scale fatalities, especially in urban environments with dense stray populations.”