Missed Pulse Polio Campaign? What To Do Now

Missed the March 10th pulse polio campaign? And, you been now running yourself down looking for information on what can you do? If you find yourself saying yes to this, we can understand what you are feeling at the moment. Don’t panic and read on to know what can you do next?

What can you do if you missed giving polio drops during March 10th campaign?

• First, of all you can check with your nearby government health centres/ public health centres if the drops are still being administered.
• At some centres, the drops are administered even after the scheduled campaign date. And, at some places, volunteers will be available to administer polio drops to those who missed the drive. However, don’t forget to check the volunteer ID card to ensure that the he/she is a legit volunteer.
• If you are residing in a rural area, you can avail information on missed polio drops from nearby Aanganwadi (rural care centre)

What happens when you miss a pulse polio dose?

The term Pulse Polio campaigns aims at mass administration of Oral Polio Vaccine on a single day to all children 0 -5 years of age, irrespective of  previous immunization or dosages given. The dosage given during these campaigns are extra doses. So if your child has already been routinely immunised, there is nothing to worry.  This year national immunisation pulse polio campaign was held on March 10th

Is this the last year of Pulse Polio Immunization?

No, this is not the last year of Pulse Polio Immunization. The rounds will continue in India, for at least the next few years even after the last case is seen to ensure that polio is really gone from India and till it is certified that polio has been eradicated from the whole world.

What is the routine schedule for OPV?

The routine schedule for OPV is Zero dose given at birth. Following this 1st , 2nd and 3rd doses are given at 6 , 10 and 14 weeks respectively, along with the booster dose given in between 16 to 24 months

Is it important to give pulse polio drops to children under 5 years when the child has already been administered the polio vaccine as per the recommended schedule?

What ever given in pulse polio programme are extra doses to maintain uniformity in the population. You should not miss the drops in pulse polio campaigns. It prevents the whole community from polio. The government is giving polio vaccine free to eliminate polio completely.

To know more details, you can write to us on helpdesk@parentune.com