India has made tremendous progress in polio eradication, thanks to the consistent implementation of high-quality immunization campaigns. In 2004, XX National Immunization Days were held, and in high-risk states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, immunization campaigns were conducted on average every six weeks.

As a result of these tremendous efforts, the incidence of polio in India has been reduced from an estimated more than 75,000 annual cases in 1996, to just 136 cases in 2004, the lowest number ever. India now stands on the verge of being polio-free.



A similar campaign schedule will be necessary throughout 2005 and into 2006. Such numerous immunization campaigns are necessary, to:
-ensure children are fully protected against polio. All children under the age of five years must receive at least four doses of the polio vaccine, and in many cases additional doses are necessary to ensure full protection;
-each month, 250,000 children are born in the state of Uttar Pradesh alone, all of whom will be completely un-immunized and vulnerable to the poliovirus;
-many children are suffering from a vast array of competing viruses which stretches their immune system - additional doses will offer added protection against polio;
-coincidental diarrhoeal diseases, at a time of an immunization campaign, may cause an individual dose to be flushed out of a child's system, requiring additional doses in future immunization activities.

Thanks to India's strong and ongoing commitment to polio eradication, the disease could soon be assigned to the history books. No child need ever again know the pain associated with polio-paralysis.

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