Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir: Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Sunday launched the Pulse Polio Campaign across Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding children against poliomyelitis and maintaining the Union Territory’s polio-free status.
The campaign was formally inaugurated at the Government Hospital in Gandhinagar, Jammu, where the minister administered oral polio vaccine drops to young children, marking the observance of National Immunization Day.
Speaking at the launch, Sakeena Itoo urged parents, caregivers, and community members to actively participate in the drive and ensure that every child below five years of age receives polio drops. She stressed that protecting children from preventable diseases is a shared responsibility and called on fathers to be equally involved in vaccination efforts.
The minister highlighted that although India achieved polio-free status in 2014, continued vigilance through regular immunization campaigns remains essential to prevent any resurgence of the disease.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a contagious viral illness caused by the poliovirus. It primarily infects the throat and intestines and can spread rapidly in populations with low vaccination coverage.
The virus spreads through contact with infected fecal matter or respiratory secretions. Contaminated hands, food, water, and surfaces are common sources of transmission, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
Most infected individuals show no symptoms or develop mild illness. When symptoms appear, they often resemble flu and may include fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, and stomach discomfort.
In a small number of cases, the virus attacks the nervous system. This can cause muscle weakness, severe pain, loss of reflexes, and paralysis that may progress quickly.
Children under five years of age who are not fully vaccinated face the highest risk of severe polio complications. Adults without prior immunity can also develop serious illness.
Some survivors experience lasting muscle weakness, joint deformities, or mobility issues. In rare cases, paralysis can permanently affect breathing or swallowing muscles.
There is no cure for polio. Treatment focuses on supportive care, symptom management, respiratory support when needed, and long-term rehabilitation through physiotherapy.
The Pulse Polio Campaign is being conducted on a massive scale across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Health Department has established more than ten thousand vaccination booths across the Union Territory to ensure easy access for families in urban, rural, and remote areas.
To strengthen outreach, hundreds of mobile teams and transit vaccination points have been deployed. These teams will conduct door-to-door visits and cover high-footfall areas such as bus stands and marketplaces to ensure that no eligible child is missed.
Health officials estimate that nearly twenty lakh children under the age of five will be covered during the campaign.
The launch event was attended by Vikram Randhawa, who described the Pulse Polio Campaign as a cornerstone of child health protection in the Union Territory. He praised frontline health workers for their dedication and urged citizens to cooperate fully with vaccination teams.
Health Secretary Syed Abid Rasheed emphasized that sustained immunization efforts are critical to protecting future generations. He reiterated that the government has put robust monitoring systems in place to ensure smooth execution of the campaign.
Several senior officials were also present, including Ananth Dwivedi, Sajad Hussain Ganai, Smita Sethi, Poonam Sethi, and Abdul Hamid Zargar.
Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. “Polio.” Last reviewed February 28, 2025. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15655-polio
(Rh/ARC)