Mon, June 11 (MExN): A one-day workshop on Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance and National Immunization Day (NID) 2026 was conducted at the Conference Hall of District Hospital, Mon, on June 11 to strengthen disease surveillance systems and enhance preparedness for the upcoming National Immunization Day scheduled for June 28.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Wungyong Konyak, District Programme Officer (UIP & RCH), highlighted the importance of VPD surveillance in monitoring the effectiveness of immunisation programmes. He said prevention remains the cornerstone of public health and stressed that a strong surveillance system is essential for the timely detection and control of diseases.
Expressing concern over the district's low immunisation coverage, he called for concerted efforts to improve vaccination uptake and urged all health workers to create awareness about the forthcoming National Immunization Day. He also reoriented participants on the procedures, strategies and implementation processes required for the successful conduct of the campaign.
The technical session on VPD surveillance was conducted by Dr M A H Azhar, MD, Surveillance Medical Officer (SMO), Mokokchung. Beginning with the district's surveillance status, he explained the importance of maintaining a sensitive and responsive surveillance system for the early detection of vaccine-preventable diseases.
He also presented the global and national polio situation, tracing the history of the poliovirus from its discovery to the global eradication initiative and highlighting the progress achieved in reducing polio cases worldwide.
During the session, Dr Azhar elaborated on the different types of polioviruses, including wild poliovirus, vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). He informed participants that India has remained free of wild poliovirus since January 2011 and continues to maintain its polio-free status through high immunisation coverage and robust Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance.
He further highlighted the importance of environmental surveillance and stool sample collection in detecting poliovirus transmission and preventing outbreaks.
Participants were also briefed on the current global risks, including the continued circulation of wild poliovirus in a few endemic regions and the emergence of vaccine-derived polioviruses in areas with low immunisation coverage. Dr Azhar stressed that maintaining high routine immunisation coverage with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), coupled with sensitive AFP surveillance, remains crucial to preventing the re-establishment of poliovirus transmission.
The workshop also covered preparations for National Immunization Day 2026, including microplanning, identification of high-risk and underserved populations, strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, social mobilisation activities, cold-chain management, logistics planning, and effective supervision and monitoring. Participants were reminded of the importance of ensuring that every eligible child below five years of age receives the polio vaccine during the NID campaign.
The workshop was attended by medical officers, staff nurses, block programme managers, the district programme manager, district community mobiliser, representatives from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and other Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) personnel from across the district.
The programme concluded with participants acquiring updated knowledge and skills on VPD surveillance and National Immunization Day implementation, strengthening the capacity of healthcare personnel engaged in surveillance and immunisation activities across the district.
