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India's achievement of becoming polio-free in 2014 stands as one of the most remarkable successes in global public health. This milestone, which was celebrated worldwide, represents decades of consistent efforts, collaboration, and innovative strategies, culminating in the elimination of wild poliovirus in the country.

Key Milestones in Polio Eradication

• Pulse Polio Programme Launch (1995):
  • The Pulse Polio Immunization Programme was a game-changer, initiating large-scale vaccination campaigns across India, with the first nationwide campaign held on 2nd October 1994 (Gandhi Jayanti) in Delhi.
  • The campaign used the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and reached over 1 million children.
  • The slogan "Do BoondZindagi Ki" (Two drops of life) became synonymous with India’s polio eradication efforts.
• Routine Immunization and System Strengthening:
  • The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which launched in 1985, made polio one of the first diseases targeted for elimination. UIP is now one of the world’s largest immunization programs, aiming to provide vaccines against 12 preventable diseases, including polio.
  • Cold chain management was improved through systems like the National Cold Chain Training Centre (NCCTE) and Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN), ensuring proper storage and distribution of vaccines.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) Introduction (2015):
  • As part of the Global Polio Endgame Strategy, India introduced the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in 2015 to provide enhanced protection, particularly against type 2 poliovirus.
  • This move followed the global transition from trivalent OPV to bivalent OPV (which excludes the type 2 strain) and helped ensure continued protection against all forms of polio.
• Surveillance Systems:
  • India implemented Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance to track unexplained paralysis in children, a symptom of polio.
  • Environmental Surveillance, involving monitoring sewage water for poliovirus strains, played a critical role in identifying potential outbreaks and residual poliovirus transmission.
• Political Will & Community Engagement:
  • Strong political commitment from both central and state governments ensured sustained resources and focus on the program.
  • Community participation was also vital, with health workers and volunteers working to ensure vaccination coverage in the most remote areas.

The Final Leap: Certification and Maintenance

• 2011 marked the last case of wild poliovirus in Howrah, West Bengal, and India ramped up its surveillance and response efforts to ensure no further cases.
• India achieved polio-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on 27th March 2014, after meeting strict criteria, including three years without wild poliovirus transmission and robust surveillance systems.

Post-Certification Efforts: Keeping Polio at Bay

Even after achieving polio-free status, India remains vigilant to maintain this achievement:

• Annual National Immunization Days (NID) and Sub-National Immunization Days (SNID) are held regularly to boost immunity levels and ensure no child is missed.
• Continuous surveillance and vaccination at international borders help prevent the risk of re-importation of the virus.
• Mission Indradhanush (MI), launched in 2014, aims to increase immunization coverage to 90%, focusing on hard-to-reach areas and improving vaccine coverage.

Ongoing Commitment to Immunization

India’s immunization programs continue to evolve:

• New vaccines like Rotavirus, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), and Measles-Rubella (MR) are being added to protect against other vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Mission Indradhanush’s intensified phase has played a crucial role in improving vaccination rates, particularly in underserved areas.