Polio Day on 3 March 2024: The nationwide Pulse Polio Immunization Campaign to administer polio vaccine to children under 5 years of age will be conducted in all the districts across the country on Polio Day, Sunday, March 3. Preparations for the polio vaccination drive are in full swing and health officials in many states from Tamil Nadu, Gurgaon, Madhya Pradesh to Nagaland have set up thousands of polio booths and are training volunteers to administer the polio vaccine to children. (Also Read | Post-Polio Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Possible Treatment Options)
India launched the Pulse Polio Immunization Program in 1995 following the World Health Organization’s Global Polio Eradication Initiative with a Universal Immunization Program with a target of 100% coverage. On January 13, 2023, India completed 12 years of being polio free.
Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the nervous system. Understanding this debilitating disease and the importance of polio vaccination is vital to protecting the health and well-being of our children.
What is polio and what are its symptoms?
Polio has been present since ancient times as the disease has also been depicted in ancient tomb paintings. According to the MayoClinic, polio is a disease caused by a virus that primarily affects the nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem. It is spread through contaminated water or food or contact with an infected person and even causes paralysis. Most people infected with polio do not show any symptoms. In those who do experience symptoms, polio starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea, etc. Any person, paralytic or non-paralytic, can be affected by polio. Paralytic polio usually begins with symptoms similar to non-paralytic polio, but soon progresses to intense pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, and cramps. This may cause paralysis of the leg or arm.
“Polio is caused by poliovirus and is usually spread by contaminated food, water, or contact with an infected person. The virus attacks the nervous system, potentially causing paralysis, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. Initial symptoms may be similar to those of the flu, including fever, headache and muscle aches. However, in more severe cases, the virus can cause permanent muscle weakness or paralysis, especially in the limbs,” says Dr. Says Saurabh Khanna, Lead Consultant, Pediatrics & Neonatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
Importance of polio vaccination
According to the CDC, children should receive four doses of polio vaccine. The first dose should be given when they are 2 months old, then again at 4 months old. The next dose should be given to children aged 6 months to 18 months and to children aged 4 to 6 years.
Dr Khanna shares five benefits of vaccinating your child for polio:
1. Stopping the spread of polio: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of poliovirus. By making sure your child gets the recommended dose of polio vaccine, you contribute to building a protective barrier against the virus in the community.
2. Eradicate polio globally: Commitment to polio vaccination plays a vital role in the global effort to eliminate the disease. Through widespread vaccination campaigns, significant progress has been made, with many countries successfully eliminating polio. Continued vaccination efforts are essential to achieve a polio-free world.
3. Protection of unvaccinated persons: Vaccination not only protects vaccinated individuals but also helps protect people who cannot receive the vaccine, such as infants or people with certain medical conditions. This concept of community or herd immunity is an important aspect of preventing outbreaks.
4. Long-term health and well-being: The consequences of polio can be serious and life-changing. By making sure your child receives the recommended polio vaccination, you are investing in their long-term health and well-being, reducing the risk of suffering the debilitating effects of this disease.
5. Economic Benefits: Polio can impose a significant economic burden on individuals, families, and communities. The costs associated with medical treatment, rehabilitation, and loss of productivity can be enormous. Vaccination is a cost-effective strategy to prevent financial stress caused by polio-related diseases.
