On 31st January 2021 , community health nursing department and NSS unit of Pushpagiri College of Nursing had participated in Pulse Polio immunization programme organised by government of India. During this program, we, first 25 students of 4th year BSc nursing got an opportunity to participate in this pulse polio immunization programme along with sr. Mayukha SIC , assistant professor department of community health nursing and Mrs Jincy Mariam yohannan, NSS coordinator. Poliomyelitis is highly infectious viral disease that can affect and can lead to partial ot full paralysis. The causative agent id is the polio virus which has three Serotypes 1,2 and 3. When an individual susceptible to polio is exposed to infection, one of the following responses may occur: Subclinical: There are no presenting symptoms. Minor illness: It causes a mild or self limiting illness. Non-paralytic polio: Stiffness and pain in the neck and back. Paralytic polio: flaccid paralysis, stiffness of neck and back. The paralysis is characterized as descending. Immunization is the sole effective means of preventing poliomyelitis. Both killed and live attenuated vaccines are available and both are safe and effective when used correctly. Inactivated(Salk) polio vaccine: Administered by IM injection or fractional dose by Intradermal injection. The first 3 doses are given at intervals of 1-2 months and 4 th dose 6 to 12 months after the third dose. Oral(Sabin) polio vaccine: It contains live attenuated virus. 2 drops are administered orally. Government of India conducted the first round of pulse polio immunization consisting of 2 immunization days 6 weeks apart on 9th December 1995 and 20 th January 1996. The first program conducted targeted all children under 3 years of age irrespective of their immunization status. Later on, as recommended by WHO, it was decided to increase the age group from under 3 to under 5 years. The term pulse has been used to describe this sudden, simultaneous, mass, administration of OPV on a single day to all children 0 to 5 years of age regardless of previous immunization. Pulse polio immunization occur as 2 records about four to six weeks apart during low transmission season of polio that is between November to February. An important improvement in PPI during 1998 has been the use of vaccine vial monitor. Colour monitor or labels are put on vaccine bottles. Each label has a circle of deep blue colour. Inside it is a white square which changes colour and gradually becomes blue, if vaccine bottle is exposed to higher temperature.
When the colour of the white square becomes blue like that of surrounding circle, the vaccine should be considered ineffective. There by the health worker can easily ascertain that the vaccine being given is effective or not. This mechanism has been mandatory in all vaccine procrements since 1998. This quality assurance will ensure that the children will have better protection against Polio in 1919 and and there after. Pulse polio immunization programme is included under National Health Mission, swatch Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti padhao and department of Health Services. The program was conducted in immunisation OPD of Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital. This was under Taluk Hospital Thiruvalla. Mrs Anila chacko was a supervisor from health department for this program. There were two responsible team members for the smooth running of the programme in hospital setting. Mrs Rani Koshy (PMCH staff) and Suja Mary Jacob where the team members in PMCH. The time was scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The total houses which came under this setting was 568 and which covers 1735 population including 85 under five children. The 2021 theme for pulse polio immunization programme was ‘ help us to help you ‘. The program was conducted in such a way that it’s strictly follow us covid protocol.. Wearing face mask, practicing social distance 3 feet and prompt handwashing aids in better implementation of the program.
