India launched the Pulse Polio Immunisation programme with the goal of eradicating poliomyelitis. The last case of wild poliovirus (WPV) in India was reported in 2011, and India was certified polio-free in 2014. The type of vaccination strategy that underlies Pulse Polio (National Immunization Days) is best described as:
- A Ring vaccination
- B Mass vaccination targeting all children under 5 regardless of vaccination history ✓
- C Selective vaccination of unimmunized children only
- D Cocooning strategy
Correct answer: B. Mass vaccination targeting all children under 5 regardless of vaccination history
Explanation
Pulse Polio (National Immunization Days) involves administering two drops of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to ALL children below 5 years of age on specified days, irrespective of their previous vaccination status. This mass approach rapidly boosts population immunity and interrupts wild poliovirus transmission. Ring vaccination, by contrast, targets contacts and contacts of contacts around confirmed cases.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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