Union Government launched IPV injection as part of Global Polio Endgame Strategy

The Union Government on 30 November 2015 launched the injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) as part of its commitment to the Global Polio Endgame Strategy.

The IPV injection was launched in New Delhi by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda. It is part of next step in India's universal immunization programme to fight against polio in the country.

Main highlights of the Initiative
• The first phase this vaccine will be introduced in six states, viz Assam, Gujarat, Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
• IPV injection will be given to children below one year of age along with the third dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) at the routine immunization sessions free of cost.
• New evidences now clearly show that IPV and OPV together will further strengthen the children’s immune system and will provide double protection against polio.
• The introduction of IPV in routine immunization is as per recommendation made in World Health Assembly in May 2015 and endorsed by Global Polio Endgame Strategy.

IPV will roll-out to 126 countries which are only using OPV in the National program and it will be the largest and fastest globally-coordinated vaccine introduction project in history.

Earlier on 27 March 2014, India was certified polio-free, but the immunization programme continues in the country since two of its neighbours, Pakistan and Afghanistan, remain polio-endemic and due to the threat of vaccine-derived polio.

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