Pulse Polio Immunization Programme Launched by President Pranab Mukherjee
In order to prevent the risk of invasion of Polio from other countries, Indian President Mr Pranab Mukherjee has launched a Pulse Polio Programmed by Administering Polio Drops on Saturday to children below 5 years at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The Programme aims to cover 17 crore children under the age of 5 years. This is an attempt to maintain the Country’s “polio free” status.
The programme was launched on the eve of the National Immunization Day in the presence of health Minister Mr JP Nadda.
Mr Nadda said, “As the risk of importation remains from remaining three countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria) where the polio virus is still circulating, the need still persists for the country to maintain the population immunity and sensitive surveillance till global polio eradication happens”.
He said the polio-free certification of the entire South-East Asia Region of World Health Organisation, including India, on March 27, 2014, is a “huge” accomplishment in the history of public health.