Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra, Principal PGMI and Ameer-ud-Din Medical College told in this regard that tools of informative banners, SMS service and Public address system in addition to LGH official website are being used effectively in order to sensitize polio patients, their attendants and general masses against polio. He told that walks and seminars would also be arranged to create awareness in this regard. He said that polio is a highly infective disease which attacks human nervous system causing paralyses and death. He said that mostly kids under five year age fall victim to polio which can be safeguarded only by polio vaccine. He said that Muslim scholars round the world have declared this vaccine as valid from Islamic point of view. We will have to dispense polio drops to kids to save our coming generation from falling physically disable, he added. He said that repetition of polio drops dispensation is essential to ensure suppression of this disease on permanent basis.

            Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra said that presently Pakistan is on top of more than 50 Islamic countries in number of reported polio cases which is very worrisome and alarming for us. He said that the same spirit of dengue eradication would have to be adopted with the collaboration of Ulema karam, media, civil society and general masses to rid polio. He stressed upon all the segments of society to play their role for making our homeland polio free and thus our country�s esteem and respect could be restored in the comity of world.

Public Awareness Program
Department of Pediatrics, PGMI/AMC/LGH

What is Polio?

Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by the Polio virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause paralysis or even death in a matter of hours.Polio was one of major cause of permanent disability in 20^th century but due to vaccination Polio cases have decreased in the end of 20^th century.Polio cases have decreased  over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases in more than 125 endemic countries then, to 406 reported cases in 2013. In 2014, only 3 countries

(Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria) in the world remain endemic for the disease.

 How is Polio transmitted?

Stool of the patient is the main source of spread of polio virus, it contaminate water, food and through these  Poliovirus  enters the body through the mouth. The virus multiplies in the intestine  and is excreted by the infected child in faeces, which can pass on the virus to others. 

What are the symptoms of Polio?

Initial symptoms of polio are:

Fever

Fatigue

Headache

Vomiting

Stiffness in the neck

Pain in the limbs.

Acute Flaccid Paralysis (Sudden weakness of Legs/arms) 

Who is at risk of catching Polio?

Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age.

What are the effects of Polio?

The effects of Polio are:

One in every 200 persons infected with Polio leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs).

Among those paralysed, 5%-10% die when their breathing muscles are immobilized by the virus. 

Is there a cure for Polio?

No, there is no cure for Polio. Polio can only be prevented by immunization. A safe and effective vaccine exists - the oral polio vaccine (OPV). OPV is essential protection for children against Polio. Given multiple times, it protects a child for life.

Does the oral polio vaccine have any side effects?

The oral polio vaccine is one of the safest vaccines ever developed. It is so safe it can be given to sick children and newborns. It has been used all over the world to protect children against polio, saving at least 5 million children from permanent paralysis by Polio.  

What is the Islamic guidance on polio vaccine?

Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is safe and has been declared Halal by Islamic leaders all over the world . All major religious schools and sects have lent their support to Polio eradication and many have issued Fatwas in support.

Is it safe to administer multiple doses of OPV to children?

Yes, it is safe to administer multiple doses of Polio vaccine to children. The vaccine is designed to be administered multiple times to ensure full protection.  

How many doses of OPV does a child need before they are protected?

OPV needs to be administered multiple times to be fully effective. The number of doses it takes to immunize a child depends entirely on the child's health and nutritional status, and how many other viruses that child has been exposed to.Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is safe and effective and every extra dose means a child gets extra protection against polio. It takes multiple doses of OPV to achieve full immunity against polio So it is recommended that every child under 5 years age must get Polio vaccine during every Polio campaign. 

Is OPV safe for sick children and newborns?

Yes. OPV is safe to be given to sick children. In fact it is particularly critical that sick children are immunized during the campaigns, and newborn babies, because their immunity levels are lower than other children.

 Why do some children get infected by polio even after having received multiple doses?

Building immunity against virus is a very complex biological process. We are all different; as are organisms' reactions to medications and vaccines. Few children may acquire strong immunity after just five or six doses of the polio vaccine, while the most vulnerable children need more than ten. The immune system of underweight, malnourished and children suffering from diarrhoea responds to the polio vaccine in a different way than of healthy children. Therefore, to remain protected, all children under five years of age should receive polio vaccine during every immunization round.

 Conclusion.

 Polio vaccine is safe and Halal.To protect ur child from permanent disability ,get him/her immunized against Polio vaccine during every Polio vaccine campaign.

Dr.Musaddiq Hussain                                                 Prof.Agha Shabbir Ali

 PGR Pediatrics.                                                         Professor of Pediatrics,

                                                                                  Head of Pediatrics Deptt.

                                                                                  Lahore General Hospital,PGMI.

Postgraduate Medical Institute

Ameer-ud-Din Medical College

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