October 24 marks World Polio Day — a day to honour the pioneers of the polio vaccine, celebrate the global efforts that brought the world closer to eradicating this devastating disease, and reinforce the importance of continued vigilance. India’s journey from reporting over 450 polio cases daily before 1995 to being declared polio-free in 2014 is a remarkable story of determination, innovation, and collective action.
In conversation with Voice of Healthcare, experts from Rotary International and leading paediatricians across India reflect on the history, challenges, and strategies that made this achievement possible, highlighting why vaccination, surveillance, and public awareness remain critical to safeguarding future generations. From the pioneering efforts of Dr. Jonas Salk to the tireless campaigns by Rotary, government agencies, and healthcare workers, the fight against polio is a testament to what focused global collaboration can achieve — and a reminder that the mission is not over until every child is protected.
Deepak Kapur, Chairman of Rotary International's India PolioPlus Committee stated, “Before 1995, India faced a severe polio crisis, with over 450 children infected daily. Polio can cause paralysis or even death, sometimes leaving a child fully conscious but immobile. Spread through contaminated water, the virus made immunization essential. Supplementary immunization—additional doses of the oral vaccine—bolstered routine vaccination efforts. Rotary International, WHO, UNICEF, and the CDC spearheaded the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, reducing global cases from 350,000 in the 1980s to just 54 in 2024. India reported its last wild polio case in 2011 and was declared polio-free by WHO in March 2014.”
Dr. Atul Bhaskar, Senior Consultant – Paediatric Orthopaedics at SRCC Children’s Hospital, Managed by Narayana Health, Haji Ali, Mumbai, highlights the importance of World Polio Day say, “24 October honours Dr. Jonas Salk, the pioneer who discovered the polio vaccine, and celebrates the global fight that has eliminated polio from most developed nations.
India’s achievement of being polio-free for more than a decade is a testament to the dedication of the government, NGOs, healthcare workers, and organisations like the Rotary Foundation, who worked tirelessly to immunise children across the country.
However, the fight doesn’t end here. Continuous pulse polio campaigns and vaccination drives remain essential to ensure that no child is left unprotected. Sustaining these efforts will help secure a future where polio remains a disease of the past, and every child can grow up strong and healthy.”
Dr. V. Vidhya, Senior Consultant, Paediatrics, SIMS Hospital, Chennai said, “India was declared polio-free on March 27, 2014. However, wild polio remains endemic in neighboring countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, making continued vigilance essential. The cornerstone of maintaining India’s polio-free status is immunization. A robust strategy focuses on three key measures: routine immunizations, supplementary campaigns to reach missed children, and active surveillance to detect potential outbreaks.
Polio vaccination uses two types of vaccines: Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV). OPV is easy to administer, builds gut immunity crucial for blocking fecal-oral transmission, and provides herd protection, indirectly safeguarding unvaccinated children. It is given to children aged 0–5 years, especially during Pulse Polio campaigns. IPV offers strong individual protection, with two doses providing about 90% and three doses up to 100% protection against paralytic polio.
By ensuring timely vaccinations for every child, India can continue to stay polio-free and protect future generations from this debilitating disease.”
Dr Chandra Kumar N, HOD and Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, MGM Healthcare, Chennai stated, “Even though India has been free from wild polio virus since 2011, active surveillance continues to identify circulation of polio viruses. In an effort to curtail the circulation of polio virus, pulse polio vaccination was conducted recently in five districts in Tamilnadu. In addition to routine vaccination including both OPV and IPV, pulse polio administration is essential to eradicate polio from our country.
Don't miss the pulse polio doses for your child younger than 5 years irrespective of their vaccination status.”
Dr. P. Priyatharshini, Consultant - Paediatric Critical Care, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai emphasised, "Eliminating polio requires more than short term efforts- it requires continued routine of vaccination, strict surveillance and ongoing community awareness. Every child must receive shielding, every virus that can be transmitted must be detected and every family must understand the danger.
If we stop early, the virus can silently reoccur and damage years of progress. Our global target won't end when cases fall, it will end when none of the (Zero) children are at risk. Until this is achieved, one must follow the course- immunising, monitoring and informing without pause."
Please Note:
These insights are for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for advice on any medical condition or vaccination.