Pulse polio program in India was launched in the year of?

Appeared in: MNS 2015

Explanation

The Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) program was officially launched in India in 1995.
Its primary objective was to eradicate polio by vaccinating every child under five years of age with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on specific National Immunization Days.
This mass campaign strategy aimed to interrupt the chain of poliovirus transmission throughout the country.
The first round of the Pulse Polio Immunization was conducted on December 9, 1995, and January 20, 1996.
This initiative was a critical step that ultimately led to India being declared polio-free by the WHO in 2014.

Option B: This year marks the launch of a different, though related, major health initiative.
Option C: This predates the launch of both the Pulse Polio and Universal Immunization programs.
Option D: This year is too early and is not associated with the launch of any major national immunization campaign in India.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of National Immunization Programs in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowledge of national health program timelines is crucial for community health nurses to understand public health policy evolution and their role in disease prevention.
Nurses are the backbone of immunization campaigns, responsible for vaccine administration, maintaining the cold chain, community mobilization, health education, and surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Understanding the success of the Pulse Polio program reinforces the importance of high vaccination coverage and can be used to counsel vaccine-hesitant parents.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on knowledge of public health programs in India.
First, identify the key program mentioned in the question stem: 'Pulse Polio Program'.
Second, access your knowledge base on India's national health initiatives to recall the specific year this massive campaign was initiated to eradicate polio.
Third, differentiate this program from other major immunization milestones. For example, recall that the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) was launched earlier, in 1985.
By correctly identifying the program and its launch year, and eliminating the years associated with other programs or incorrect dates, you can confidently select the right answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 125-127

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 60-62

Practise the full MNS 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.