In March 2025, which health milestone was remembered on National Vaccination Day?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 09 Jun, 2025 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Pulse Polio First Dose.

Key Points

National Vaccination Day is observed in India on 16th March every year.
It was initiated to commemorate the first-ever administration of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in India on 16 March 1995.
The Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) program was launched in 1995 with the aim of eradicating polio in India by vaccinating all children under the age of five.
The program became one of the most successful vaccination initiatives, leading to India being declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014.
This milestone is remembered annually to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in preventing diseases.

Additional Information

Pulse Polio Immunization Program
- Launched in 1995 under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
- It involved administering two drops of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to children under five, irrespective of their previous vaccination status.
- The program focused on high-risk areas and rapid response to polio outbreaks.
- It played a crucial role in achieving a polio-free status for India, certified by WHO in 2014.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
- A public-private partnership launched in 1988 with the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
- Key partners include WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, CDC, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Since its launch, the number of polio cases globally has decreased by over 99%.
Importance of Vaccination
- Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases.
- It helps develop immunity by mimicking an infection without causing illness.
- Mass vaccination campaigns like Pulse Polio have saved millions of lives worldwide.
Eradication of Polio in India
- India reported its last polio case in January 2011 in West Bengal.
- On 27 March 2014, WHO certified the Southeast Asia Region, including India, as polio-free.
- India's success was attributed to strong government commitment, community participation, and support from global health organizations.