Pulse Polio: Difference between revisions
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* Identifying missing children from immunization process. |
* Identifying missing children from immunization process. |
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* Surveillance. |
* Surveillance. |
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==Study of its success== |
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State specific cases-<ref name="indiagovernance">[http://indiagovernance.gov.in/bestpractices.php?id=143 Best Practices]</ref> |
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'''The Gujarat case'''- |
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In year 1998, in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, immunization officers reported that 98 children out of the total of 2000 missed the vaccine. Health workers were first prevented from coming to village. Later, when the booths were established and the program did start, lot of parents did not bring their children to the booth. According to them, children from their village developed polio-paralysis even after the immunization. |
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'''The Bengal Case'''- |
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Health officers who visited the village in West Bengal, saw utter discontent amongst the people as they stated that two children contracted the virus after the vaccine. In another instance, parents of a two-and-a-half-year-old child who developed cellulites in the heel were convinced that it had been caused by the vaccine that was given to their child a week before. The doctor who gave the vaccine was the forced to pay the entire amount for the child’s treatment. |
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Therefore, the reasons for non-compliance by the people can be anything from lack of attitude to lack of awareness, from vaccinating an ill child to apprehension about the side-effects of polio drops (including fever, loose motion, death, infertility etc.) It is found out that poor participation of doctors and nurses, difficulty in maintaining and procuring vaccine, difficulty in procuring vehicles, inadequate support from community members are also few of the reasons because of which the program has not been completely successful. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 15:40, 14 October 2011
Pulse Polio is an immunization campaign established by the government of India in 1995-96 to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio) in India by vaccinating all children under the age of five years against polio virus. This project deals with the ways to fight poliomyelitis through a large scale immunization programme, co-operating with a various international institutions, state governments and Non Governmental Organizations.
About polio
Poliomyelitis, often referred to as polio, is contagious disease caused by poliovirus. It spreads quickly form one person to another mostly affecting children under 3 years of age. To less than 1% who are severely infected, it may lead to lifelong paralysis.[1] There is no known cure for polio, and hence, prevention by vaccines becomes necessary.
The symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Stiffness in the neck
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Pain in the limbs
There are two types of polio vaccines known. The first one, developed by Jonas Salk, known as Inactivated Polio Vaccines (IPV) consists of inactivated polio virus which is injected in the bodies of children. The second one, commonly known as the Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV), was developed by Albert Sabin consisting of attenuated polio virus.
With advanced research in the field, it is revealed that OPVs are much cheaper compared to IPVs. Moreover, with modern methods of manufacture, they are extremely safe and chances of causing paralysis is as low as one in a million.
Historical background
In India, vaccination against Polio started in 1978 with Expanded Program in Immunization (EPI). By 1984, it was successful in covering around 40% of all infants, giving 3 doses of OPV to each. In 1985, the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) was launched to cover all the districts of the country. UIP became a part of Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Program(CSSM) in 1992 and Reproductive and Child Health Program (RCH) in 1997. This program showed a significant increase in coverage upto 95%. The number of reported cases of polio also declined from 28757 during 1987 to 3265 in 1995.
In 1995, following the Polio Eradication Initiative of World Health Organization (1988), India launched Pulse Polio Immunization Program along with Universal Immunization Program which aimed at 100% coverage.
Key objectives
The Pulse Polio Initiavtive (PPI) aims at covering each an every individual in the country. It aspires to reach even the remote children through improved social mobilization plan.[2]
- Not a single child should miss the immunization and leave no chance of polio occurrence.
- Cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) to be reported in time and stool specimens of them to be collected within 14 days. Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI)to be conducted as early as possible.
- Maintaining high level of surveillance.
- Performance of good mop-up operations where polio has disappeared.
- India to be polio-free by 2005.[2]
Steps involved
- Setting up of booths in all parts of the country.[2]
- Initializing walk-in Cold Rooms, Freezer Rooms, Deep Freezers, Ice-lined Refrigerators and Cold Boxes for ensuring steady supply vaccine to booths.
- Arranging employees, volunteers and vaccines.
- Ensuring Vaccine vial monitor on each vaccine vial.
- Immunizing children with OPV on National Immunization Days.
- Identifying missing children from immunization process.
- Surveillance.
Study of its success
State specific cases-[2]
The Gujarat case- In year 1998, in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, immunization officers reported that 98 children out of the total of 2000 missed the vaccine. Health workers were first prevented from coming to village. Later, when the booths were established and the program did start, lot of parents did not bring their children to the booth. According to them, children from their village developed polio-paralysis even after the immunization.
The Bengal Case-
Health officers who visited the village in West Bengal, saw utter discontent amongst the people as they stated that two children contracted the virus after the vaccine. In another instance, parents of a two-and-a-half-year-old child who developed cellulites in the heel were convinced that it had been caused by the vaccine that was given to their child a week before. The doctor who gave the vaccine was the forced to pay the entire amount for the child’s treatment.
Therefore, the reasons for non-compliance by the people can be anything from lack of attitude to lack of awareness, from vaccinating an ill child to apprehension about the side-effects of polio drops (including fever, loose motion, death, infertility etc.) It is found out that poor participation of doctors and nurses, difficulty in maintaining and procuring vaccine, difficulty in procuring vehicles, inadequate support from community members are also few of the reasons because of which the program has not been completely successful.