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

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.