Polio experts commend India for maintaining polio-free status

The 27 ^th meeting of the Polio India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) to review the country programme activities and make recommendations was recently held in New Delhi

Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare chaired the 27 ^th Meeting of the Polio India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) to review the country programme activities and make recommendations, in New Delhi. The expert member group concluded that ‘the country is on the right track’. The experts commended the strong leadership of the Government of India, as well as the ownership of the state governments to for maintaining polio-free status for more than seven years and ensuring that every child is vaccinated against the disease. The last case of polio in India was reported in January 2011. The programme has ensured adequate protection of children through both mass polio vaccination campaigns and childhood immunisation.

Speaking at the meeting, Sudan said that there are two types of polio vaccine — oral polio vaccine and injectable polio vaccine, which are both used in India to provide enhanced protection. “We need to ensure that every child in India must receive at least three doses of OPV and two doses of IPV during infancy. This in an invaluable investment for child health in India,” Sudan added. She further said that the nationwide polio campaigns should continue along with routine immunisation strengthening initiatives such as Mission Indradhanush, Gram SwarajAbhiyan, and Extended-Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.

Dr Michel Zaffran, Head of Polio Eradication, WHO, stated that globally the world is closer to polio eradication than ever before. Eleven cases have been registered in 2018 in only two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan. “The experts appreciate the example that India sets for the rest of the world. By eliminating polio in India, the country has demonstrated that global polio eradication is feasible and within reach,” he added.

The group of experts appreciated the efforts of India in using both oral and injectable polio vaccines and recommends that this be continued so that no child in India gets paralysed ever again. Community participation remains an integral part of polio vaccination efforts in the country. The expert group noted that more than 23 lakh vaccinators are mobilised to support every polio mass campaign during which 17 crores children get the oral polio drops.