A STUDY ON THE EFFICACY AND BENEFICIALITY OF THE "ZERO" DOSE OF POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE

Abstract

Poliomvelitis is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It can strike at any age but affects mainly children under three. The disease causes paralysis which is almost always irreversible. Eradication of

I poliomyelitis has been a real dream to all nations and is currently a prime target for the WHO and other health supporting organizations.i

Working toward this target, the health authorities frequently launch poliomyelitis vaccination programs giving extra vaccine dosage to all children irrespective of their previous vaccination status. One of this extra vaccine dose to poliomyelitis is what is called " zero dose" which is to be given in the first 1-7 days from birth.

The aim ofthe work is to study the efficacy and beneficiality of the "zero dose" of poliomyelitis vaccination.