Polio Day 2024: India set to vaccinate children under Pulse Polio Immunisation drive; know why is it still required

New Delhi: India launched a national-wide Pulse Polio Immunisation drive to administer polio vaccines to children below the age of 5 on March 3, Sunday. The drive will be conducted across the country in all districts. From Vishakhapatnam to Assam, from Kerala to Jammu and Kashmir, from Nagpur to Nagaland, all states in the country are set to conduct the drive in full power.

Why is polio immunisation still needed?

Polio is a disease caused by virus that mainly affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem. It can be transmitted either via contaminated food and water or contact of an infected person. Most people infected with polio do not get any symptoms. For those who experience symptoms, polio begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache, sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea etc.

Children should get doses of four polio vaccine, according to the Centers for Prevention and Disease Control (CDC). There is a need for polio immunisation to eradicate the disease across the globe. India is situated between the two countries where polio is still spreading menace, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hence, it is essential that every child gets polio drops within five years of age.

Another reason why polio drops are still needed is, it not only protects the vaccinated population but also those who cannot receive vaccines, like infants with certain medical conditions. Hence, the vaccination drive will help boost the herd immunity against the disease.

State-wise preparedness

Andhra Pradesh: The district medical and health officer told TOI that near to 2.08 lakh children are to be vaccinated against polio in the Visakhapatnam district. He added that 1,002 polio booths, 74 mobile teams and 32 transit centers are being set up across the district.

Nagaland: The state health ministry has urged all parents and caregivers to take their children below the age of five to Polio booths. The ministry notified that the polio booth day is on March 3, 8 am to 3 pm. The State Immunisation Officer has cautioned that even though Indi is polio free, it can still return as not all countries have eradicated polio.

Kerala: According to a report in The Hindu, over 23 lakh children below the age of five years in the State will be administered an additional dose of oral polio vaccine on March 3, Sunday, as part of the nationwide Pulse Polio immunisation drive. “The Health department has arranged 23,471 booths, including mobile and transit booths, to administer the vaccine to the children. The booths will function from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. on March 3,” stated the report.

Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the observance of Polio Day in all districts of Assam on March 3 as part of National Immunisation Day. The CM urged parents and guardians to ensure the complete protection of their children by administering the polio vaccination.

Maharashtra: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has urged all parents to ensure their children below 5 years of age receive a dose of polio today. As per the reports, the vaccination booths will be available on March 3 from 8 am to 5 pm. Along with designated booths, mobile teams are also deployed at places like temples, mosques, malls, railway stations and high risk areas.