India’s ‘Polio Free’ status might be at risk
This news can be like a shocker for many parents,
especially those whose kids were born after April 2016. Going by the various
media reports it is believed that around three batches of polio vaccine 1.5
lakh vials have been found contaminated with type 2 poliovirus putting India’s
‘Polio Free’ status at risk. In March 2014, India was officially declared
“polio-free” by WHO where the last case of polio was reported in 1999. But
recently in some pockets of the country contaminated polio vaccination has been
administered in kids which have made the authorities wary. The ministry of
health and WHO has upped their surveillance in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and
Maharashtra where the contaminated vaccines were administered to the kids, they
are keeping a close watch if any new strain of polio is found in stool samples
or sewage.
The incident of vaccinating with contaminated vitals
have made the authorities worried as the virus had been eradicated with
enormous effort and contamination of the vaccines can lead to reintroducing the
virus in the community which can have serious ramification on public health.
The vaccines were provided by Biomed, who is the
supplier of government’s universal immunisation program. The contamination was
first suspected in UP when some reports suggested the stains of poliovirus in
the stool of some kids. Following this samples of OPV vaccines were lifted by
drug authorities and the stains were confirmed. The government has ordered
revaccinating kids again to keep them safe but to identify children who got the
contaminated dose is difficult. Anyway, a three-member panel has been set up
top look into the matter. The panel has been asked to submit their report
within a week.
The government authorities and regulatory bodies are
worried that if the type two poliovirus gets into the sewage or water system it
can spread polio.
01.10.2018
Life brings tears, smiles & memories…. The tears dry…The Smiles fade… But the
memories last forever….
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