India Marks 15 Years Polio-Free: A Global Health Triumph

India has marked 15 years since its last wild poliovirus case, a historic achievement in public health. This transition from a polio hotspot to a leader in immunisation is a testament to strong political will and extensive community-level efforts.

The campaign involved administering approximately 100 crore polio vaccine doses to 17.2 crore children, overcoming significant challenges like population size and remote community access. Technology-driven platforms like U-WIN and Safevac have bolstered planning and service delivery.

While India celebrates this milestone, experts caution against complacency due to emerging variant poliovirus outbreaks globally. India plays a vital role in global eradication, manufacturing a key vaccine for variant strains and sharing its successful strategies with other nations.