Under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), India was declared polio-free in 2014. However, OPV is still administered under the UIP. The primary reason for continuing OPV after wild poliovirus elimination is:
- A To prevent re-introduction of wild poliovirus from endemic countries ✓
- B Because IPV is not available in India
- C OPV provides superior mucosal immunity compared to IPV
- D OPV has no risk of vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP)
Correct answer: A. To prevent re-introduction of wild poliovirus from endemic countries
Explanation
India continues bivalent OPV (types 1 and 3) under UIP primarily as a herd immunity strategy against potential re-introduction from remaining endemic countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan). OPV induces gut mucosal immunity (secretory IgA) that IPV does not, interrupting faecal-oral transmission. IPV is now added to the schedule for individual protection while OPV maintains population-level gut immunity barriers.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.