Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children. While the disease has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became a major health concern.

In the early 1950s, polio epidemics swept across the world, leading to tens of thousands of cases of paralysis and death.

Today, thanks to the development of an effective vaccine, polio is on the verge of being eradicated.

In fact, as of 2020, the global incidence of polio has decreased by over 99%, and the number of reported cases has dropped from 350,000 in 1988 to just 163 in 2019. While this progress is impressive, there is still work to be done. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the road to 80% worldwide elimination of polio and what it will take to achieve this goal.

What is Polio?

Polio is a viral infection that affects the nervous system. The poliovirus is spread from person to person through contaminated food and water, and it can also be spread through contact with infected feces.

The virus enters the body through the mouth and then travels to the intestines, where it replicates and spreads to the bloodstream.

In a small percentage of cases, the virus enters the nervous system and can cause paralysis, usually in the legs. Severe cases can lead to death, especially in young children.

While most people who contract polio have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, the disease can have serious consequences for those who are affected.

The Polio Vaccine

The development of the polio vaccine is one of the greatest success stories in modern medicine. The first vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, and it was soon followed by an oral vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin a few years later.

Both vaccines are highly effective at preventing polio, and they have been used to vaccinate millions of people around the world.

The polio vaccine has been so successful that it has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of cases of polio. In fact, in 1988, when the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched, there were over 350,000 cases of polio worldwide.

Today, that number has dropped to just a few hundred cases per year.

The Challenges of Eradicating Polio

While the polio vaccine has been highly effective, eradicating the disease requires more than just vaccination. There are several challenges that need to be overcome in order to achieve global elimination of the disease.

1. The Polio Virus is Still Present in Several Countries

Despite the significant progress that has been made in the fight against polio, the virus is still present in a handful of countries. As of 2020, just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, reported cases of wild poliovirus.

In addition, several other countries continue to report cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), which is a rare strain of the virus that can emerge in under-vaccinated populations.

2. Reaching Under-Vaccinated Populations

In order to achieve global polio eradication, it’s essential to reach all populations with the polio vaccine. This can be challenging in countries with poor healthcare infrastructure or where there is a lack of trust in vaccines.

In addition, conflict, insecurity, and other geopolitical factors can make it difficult to reach certain populations.

3. Polio Immunization Campaigns Must be Sustained

In order to maintain the progress that has been made in the fight against polio, immunization campaigns must be sustained.

This requires a long-term commitment from governments, donors, and healthcare organizations to ensure that the polio vaccine is available to all who need it.

Polio Eradication Efforts

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), launched in 1988, has been instrumental in the fight against polio.

The initiative is a partnership between governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and other organizations.

The GPEI’s strategy for eradicating polio involves the following:.

1. Vaccination Campaigns

One of the key strategies in the fight against polio is vaccination. The GPEI supports mass vaccination campaigns, which involve vaccinating large numbers of children in a short period of time.

These campaigns aim to reach under-vaccinated populations and ensure that as many children as possible are protected against polio.

2. Surveillance and Monitoring

Another important aspect of the GPEI’s strategy is surveillance and monitoring. The initiative works to track the spread of the virus and identify areas where vaccination campaigns are needed.

This helps to ensure that the polio vaccine is reaching all populations and that the disease is being effectively controlled.

3. Outbreak Response

In the event of a polio outbreak, the GPEI provides support to countries to help contain the spread of the virus. This may involve setting up emergency vaccination campaigns or providing funding for healthcare infrastructure or staff.

4. Research and Innovation

Finally, the GPEI supports research and innovation in the fight against polio. This includes the development of new vaccines or the improvement of existing vaccines, as well as the development of new surveillance or monitoring tools.

The Road to 80% Worldwide Elimination

In 2012, the World Health Assembly endorsed a resolution to eradicate polio by 2018. While this goal was not achieved, significant progress has been made in the fight against polio.

As of 2020, the global incidence of polio has decreased by over 99%, and there are just a few hundred reported cases each year.

In order to achieve 80% worldwide elimination of polio, several key steps need to be taken:.

1. Sustained Investment

One of the most important factors in the fight against polio is sustained investment. This requires a long-term commitment from governments, donors, and healthcare organizations to ensure that the polio vaccine is available to all who need it.

In addition, funding is needed for surveillance and monitoring, outbreak response, and research and innovation.

2. Improved Vaccination Coverage

Improving vaccination coverage is essential to achieving global polio eradication. This means reaching under-vaccinated populations, improving access to the vaccine, and addressing vaccine hesitancy.

In addition, it’s important to ensure that all children receive the full course of the polio vaccine, which usually requires multiple doses.

3. Addressing Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus

Vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a rare strain of the virus that can emerge in under-vaccinated populations.

To address VDPV, it’s essential to improve overall vaccination coverage and to implement strategies to contain outbreaks of the virus if they occur.

4. Strengthening Healthcare Systems

Strengthening healthcare systems is essential to achieving global polio eradication.

This means improving healthcare infrastructure and staffing, addressing the root causes of poor healthcare access (such as conflict or poverty), and ensuring that healthcare delivery is equitable and reaches all populations.

Conclusion

The fight against polio has been long and challenging, but it’s also been highly successful.

Thanks to the development of an effective vaccine and the efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the incidence of polio has decreased dramatically over the past few decades. While there is still work to be done, achieving 80% worldwide elimination of polio is within reach.