The recent detection of a polio case in Meghalaya highlights the critical need for vigilance in combating poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease primarily affecting children under five. Despite India’s impressive track record of 12 years without polio, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the disease remains a global threat. This resurgence underscores the necessity for sustained high immunization rates to prevent a potential outbreak.
Dr. Deb Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Senior Consultant at Narayan Memorial Hospital in Kolkata, emphasizes that vaccination is the cornerstone of protection against polio. He urges parents to adhere to the recommended immunization schedule, including the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) administered at specific intervals, to ensure community safety.
In Kolkata, local healthcare providers and organizations are ramping up awareness campaigns and vaccination drives. The city, known for its dense population, must prioritize maintaining high immunization coverage to avert any risk of the virus re-entering the region. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics stresses that strict adherence to the vaccination schedule is vital for individual and herd immunity.