World Polio Day: Global Efforts, Vaccines, and Eradication Progress
Learn about World Polio Day, polio vaccines, global eradication efforts, challenges, and the fight to make the world polio-free.
World Polio Day
World Polio Day is celebrated every year on October 24 to spread awareness about poliomyelitis (polio) and the global mission to completely eliminate it. The day emphasizes the need for regular vaccination and the joint efforts made to create a polio-free world.
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It reminds us of the great achievements of immunization programs and the importance of continuing these efforts against this preventable viral disease. The day also honors the birth anniversary of Dr. Jonas Salk, the scientist who developed the first successful polio vaccine.
Historical Context and Its Significance
Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by the poliovirus, mainly affecting children under five years of age. The virus attacks the nervous system and can lead to permanent paralysis within a short period. It spreads mostly through the faecal-oral route and, in some cases, through contaminated food or water. Although polio has been present for centuries, major outbreaks became more common in the 20th century, especially in areas with poor sanitation facilities.
World Polio Day was introduced by Rotary International to recognise the dedicated efforts of scientists, healthcare professionals, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly toward eradicating the disease. This observance highlights the need for continued global cooperation and financial support to completely eliminate polio.
Celebrated on the birth anniversary of Dr. Jonas Salk-the developer of the first effective polio vaccine-the day stands as a reminder of the power of science and collective human effort in defeating infectious diseases.
About the Global Polio Eradication Initiative
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was established in 1988 as a collaborative effort among national governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNICEF. Later, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation became a major partner, further strengthening the global campaign.
Since its launch, the GPEI has played a crucial role in reducing global polio cases by more than 99%. When the initiative began, polio affected over 350,000 children every year in about 125 countries. Thanks to extensive vaccination programs, strong disease surveillance, and quick responses to outbreaks, polio remains endemic in only two countries today-Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Key strategies of the initiative include:
- Routine Immunisation: Ensuring that all children receive regular vaccinations to maintain strong community-wide immunity against the poliovirus.
- Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs): Conducting special vaccination campaigns to reach children who may have been missed by routine immunisation services.
- Environmental Surveillance: Monitoring sewage and wastewater systems to detect any traces of the poliovirus and identify areas at risk.
- Rapid Outbreak Response: Implementing immediate containment measures and targeted vaccination drives to stop the spread of the virus whenever new cases are detected.
Understanding Polio: Types and Vaccination Options
Polio exists in three wild forms, known as serotypes: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Wild poliovirus Type 2 was declared eradicated in 2015, followed by Type 3 in 2019, leaving only Type 1 still circulating in a few regions.
There are two main vaccines used to prevent polio:
- Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV): Developed by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, IPV uses a killed virus and is given through an injection.
- Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): Developed by Dr. Albert Sabin in the early 1960s, OPV contains a weakened live virus and is taken orally. It is affordable and easy to administer, making it ideal for large-scale immunisation campaigns.
Many countries now rely mainly on IPV because it eliminates the small risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) linked to OPV. Still, OPV continues to be crucial in areas where polio is still spreading, as it provides strong intestinal immunity, helping to stop transmission.
Successes and Obstacles in the Fight Against Polio
The near-eradication of polio stands as one of the greatest successes in global public health. Thanks to vaccination efforts, over 18 million people who might have been paralysed are now able to walk. More than 1.5 billion children have been immunised through campaigns supported by millions of volunteers worldwide.
However, some challenges remain:
- Conflict and Insecurity: Violence in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan makes it difficult to reach children for vaccination.
- Misinformation and Vaccine Hesitancy: Myths and false claims about vaccine safety discourage families from participating in immunisation programs.
- Operational and Logistical Barriers: Remote locations, population movements, and limited infrastructure create obstacles for vaccination efforts.
- Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV): In areas with low immunisation coverage, weakened virus strains from the oral vaccine can sometimes mutate and cause outbreaks.
To tackle these issues, the introduction of the novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) offers improved genetic stability, reducing the risk of the virus reverting to a harmful form.
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How Organisations and Governments Contribute
Rotary International continues to lead the charge in the fight against polio, especially through its “End Polio Now” campaign, which has raised over US$2.1 billion and engaged millions of volunteers worldwide. Governments and international organisations also play a vital role by supporting vaccination drives, conducting disease surveillance, and developing policies to guide eradication efforts.
Key partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance work closely with national health ministries to ensure vaccines reach every child and that immunisation progress is carefully monitored. Surveillance laboratories across the globe test thousands of stool and environmental samples each year to detect any circulation of the poliovirus, helping to prevent outbreaks before they spread.
Polio’s Global Impact and Future Outlook
Eradicating polio would be only the second time in history that a human disease has been completely wiped out, after smallpox in 1980. The economic advantages are significant, with estimates suggesting that up to US$50 billion could be saved by 2035 as countries would no longer need to spend on polio vaccines and treatment.
Countries that have achieved polio-free status, such as India (2014) and Nigeria (2020), demonstrate that eradication is possible through consistent efforts and strong community participation. The lessons learned from the fight against polio have also strengthened health systems and improved responses to other infectious diseases, including measles and COVID-19, showing that the benefits of eradication extend far beyond polio itself.
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