Question : POLIO ERADICATION

(a) whether India has achieved the goalof elimination of polio through intense PulsePolio Immunisation under the Global Polio Eradication initiative since 1998 and hasreceived the certificate declaring the countrypolio free from the World HealthOrganisation (WHO);

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not,the reasons therefor along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government todeclare India as polio free nation;

(c) the total number of childrenvaccinated as on date in the country under Global Polio Eradication initiative, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether certain cases of suspectedpolio have been reported recently from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh and if so, the detailsthereof; and

(e) the details of action plan for thecontinuation of pulse polio vaccinationprogramme in the country?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) & (b): Yes India has achieved the goal of elimination of polio as no polio case has been reported for the last 3 years after last case reported on 13th Jan, 2014. Regional Certification Commission (RCC) of South East Asia Region (SEAR) is in process of issuing certification for declaring the SEAR (which includes India) polio free in the first quarter of 2014.

India has already been removed from the list of countries with active endemic wild polio virus transmission on 24th Feb, 2012 by World Health Organization.

(c):The total number of children vaccinated during Pulse Polio Program since inception in 1995 till 2013 are annexed.

(d):No polio cases have been reported from any state including Meerut, Uttar Pradesh after the last case of polio reported was on 13th Jan, 2011 from West Bengal.

(e): There is a risk of polio importation as wild polio virus is continuing to circulate in some parts of the world. To mitigate this risk India Expert Advisory Group (IEAG) on polio recommended continuation of polio Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIAs) for maintaining population immunity by conducting two National and three sub national rounds in 2014 and 2015.