Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), in injectable form, was launched under the National Immunization Programme (NIP) on 30 November 2015. The launch of IPV marks a shift in addressing vaccine derived poliovirus cases. IPV, which uses killed polio viruses, will be used alongside the oral polio vaccine (OPV). With its launch India is trying to push for the so-called “endgame polio” mission.
The IPV uses killed polio viruses and when used in combination with OPV can quickly boost immunity against poliovirus and offer double protection. Till date, India, like many other countries, has been relying on an OPV campaign-style programme several times a year to keep the naturally-occurring wild polioviruses at bay. For now, immunization using IPV will be restricted to Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In the first quarter of 2016, it will be expanded to the other Northern and Northeastern States and in the second quarter, will encompass the five southern States and Maharashtra. It is worth mentioning that no new cases of polio have been reported in India for around 5 years now.
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