'Polio Is Gone From India'
Vaccination Certificate Is Too Kinds Of The Pass Port
National Immunization Days, 2014 : (19th Jan 2014/23rd Feb 2014)

Dr. Moirangthem Jiban Singh *

REDUCING RISK OF IMPORTATION FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Continuous immunization at border crossing points and greater focus on border populations

SOME QUOTES FROM THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING BOARD

"India should demonstrate to every country where polio still exists, and to the world, that there is no such thing as impossible."

"India has demonstrated the value of a logical and systematic approach. It led to the quality of data being challenged and improved. It led to the programme wanting to learn from its trials and its errors, and improving as a result."

"For years, many believed that the challenge of stopping polio transmission in India would be the downfall of the Programme; that, quite simply, it could not be done. They have been proven wrong. What many thought unachievable has been achieved. Confidence in the Programme should receive a major boost as a result of this."

"Polio is gone from India – a magnificent achievement and proof of the capability of a country to succeed when it truly takes to heart the mission of protecting its people from this vicious disease."

It is
o Historic achievement
o Monumental milestone
o Unprecedented success

But.....

Threat of polio resurgence persists…

o A total of 389 polio cases reported globally in 2013
o Pakistan alone reported 91 cases in 2013 and first four cases in 2014
o 7 previously polio-free countries re-infected in 2013

MITIGATING RISK OF IMPORTATIONS – VACCINATION OF TRAVELERS

o Polio vaccination for travellers to and from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria from 1 March 2014

INBOUND TRAVELLERS TO INDIA:

o Resident nationals required to receive a dose of OPV, regardless of age and vaccination status, at least four weeks prior to departure to India
o A certificate of vaccination with OPV required while applying for entry visa to India

OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS FROM INDIA:

o Indian residents required to receive a dose of OPV regardless of age and vaccination status at least four weeks prior to departure.
o Each district in India has designated at least one center for providing OPV & vaccination certificate.
o RCHO is the designated official for issuance of certificate
o Vaccination certificate will be valid for one year
o Unvaccinated travelers shall be vaccinated at international airports
o State governments responsible for making arrangements to administer OPV at international airports
o Link to the GoI guidelines on "Requirements of polio vaccination for international travelers between India and polio infected countries".

PROGRAM PRIORITIES FOR MAINTAINING POLIO-FREE STATUS

o Maintain high population immunity against polio
o Ensure certification standard surveillance
o Be in a state of emergency preparedness to rapidly respond to any WPV importation
o Plan for Polio Endgame strategy

TRACKING AND VACCINATION OF NEWBORNS

o 2 million children vaccinated in congregations each year
o 8 million children in transit immunized in India each round
o 100,000 of these in running trains
o 250,000 settlements with migrants identified and covered

India continues to be polio free, however risk of importations remains as long as WPV circulates globally. Maintaining high population immunity essential for mitigating risks of WPV importations and emergence of VDPVs. Need to focus on high risk areas for maintaining high population immunity,

During polio campaigns
Intensification of routine immunization
Lessons learnt from polio eradication initiative are being used for strengthening routine immunization