Describing the introduction of Injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) as a significant step to provide double protection to the children against polio, Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Prakash Ganga said that this is an important step in the Polio Eradication Programme which will strengthen full immunization efforts in the country.The Minister said this today after launching the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) during a function organized by the Health Department at Accidental Hospital in Vijaypur , Samba. The Minister also administered polio drops to the children on the occasion.On the occasion, CMO Samba Dr. Rajeev Sharma, BMO Ramgarh Dr. Harbaksh Singh, Incharge Accidental Hospital Vijaypur Dr. Naresh Gupta, doctors and staff members were also present.
While speaking on the occasion, Ganga said that though India was certified polio-free in the year 2014, the battle against polio is not over yet. “The virus is still active in our neighboring countries- Pakistan and Afghanistan. Cases of polio still happen there. So the risk of re-introduction of the disease remains, particularly through importation from these endemic countries,” he said.“There a is need to put in sincere efforts to ensure that every child in the state is benefited by the immunization programme, the Minister said adding that doctors and field functionaries have a vital role in making the people aware about these immunization programmes.Appreciating the Health Department for successfully conducting the Polio Immunization Programme in the district, Ganga said that the department had administered polio drops to every child of the district to ensure a polio free society.
It was informed that to prevent re-emergence of polio, Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) will be administered in addition to polio drops to double the protection from the deadly virus . The Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) will be introduced in the routine immunization programme to do away with the risk of re-introduction of the disease. IPV injection will be administered to the children below one year of age along with the third dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine, at about 3 ½ months of age and this vaccine will be administered in the health centers free of cost.The Minister appealed to people that even after receiving the IPV vaccine with the third dose of OPV (polio drops), the children must continue to receive OPV doses under routine immunization and in pulse polio campaigns till they are five years of age.