Polio (or poliomyelitis) is a disease that can cause lameness among children. It can cripple a child for life. According to WHO, one out of every 200 cases, polio virus passes to the spinal cord where it can destroy the nerve cells which activate the muscles. This damage is irreversible. The nerve cells cannot be replaced, the muscles affected no longer function and the outcome is life-long paralysis. This disease mainly affects children under three but older children can catch it too. Adult cases are rare.
Main casual agent of polio is virus of three types i.e. polio virus type 1, type 2 and type 3. All the three types cause paralysis and the disease is highly communicable. Transmission is primarily person-to-person via the faecaloral-route, i.e. the polio virus multiplies in the intestine and is spread through the faces.
There is no cure to this disease. But it can be prevented and immunization is at present the most effective method of prevention of the disease. Vaccine provides effective immunity against all the three types of polio virus. This is highly safe and effective. The WHO programme on immunization and National Immunization Programme in India recommended a primary course of three doses of Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) at one month interval commencing the first dose from the six weeks of infant’s birth; 1st dose in 6 weeks, 2nd dose in 10 weeks and 3rd dose within 14 weeks.
Pulse polio immunization in India:
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For complete eradication of polio by 2000 AD, Pulse Polio Immunization Programme is implemented by Govt. of India with the help of State Governments and voluntary organizations all over the country simultaneously on 9 December 1995 and 20 January, 1996.
OPV (Oral Polio Vaccination) doses are given to children of the age groups of (0-3) years on these days throughout the country. The term ‘pulse’ has been used to describe this sudden, simultaneous, mass administration of OPV on a single day to all children 0-3 years of age.
The main objective of this mass immunization programme is to prevent the transmission of wild polio viruses among children of (0-3) years of age group so that the future generation of children will be free of the risk of poliomyelitis. Children who have been previously immunized and those who may be ill must also get pulse polio immunization.