On May 13, 1988, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization decided to launch a campaign to eradicate polio. This was an extension of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), which aimed to immunize as many children as possible against the primary vaccine-preventable diseases: measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, tuberculosis and polio. It pursued the PolioPlus campaign initiated by Rotary International.
| 2000: 550 million children immunized during National Immunization Days in 82 countries. |
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All those in charge of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are quick to point out that its best chance to succeed lies in the vast mobilization supporting it.
The eradication strategy is based on a multi-faceted approach involving:
 Routine immunization of young children. The polio vaccine is among the vaccines that are compulsory or recommended in a number of industrialized countries; it is part of the immunization program set up by UNICEF and WHO in developing countries within the framework of the EPI.
National Immunization Days (NIDs)in countries where the disease is endemic.
Surveillance of new cases of polio through reporting of all cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis, the primary symptom of polio.
"Mop-up" campaigns to eliminate remaining reservoirs of disease where it continues to spread.
| In 1988 , 60% of the world's children had been fully immunized against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, and tuberculosis before their first birthday. This figure is ten times higher than in 1974 when the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was introduced. Such a spectacular increase is one of the arguments used to justify the launch of the polio eradication campaign. |
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The campaign has been remarkably successful (see Polio in figures). However, in light of the increase in the number of cases reported in 2002, the WHO decided to organize new rounds of National Immunization Days in the countries where these cases were reported, starting with India.
The fact that strains used in the oral vaccine may revert to pathogenicity and the fact that immune-compromised individuals may have lasting infection from vaccine-derived strains both give rise to concern.
According to the World Health Organization, the greatest threat hanging over the eradication initiative today is the lack of the funding it needs to reach its objective. We cannot afford to lose what has been accomplished thus far: it would be catastrophic if the virus reappeared in the countries where it has been eliminated. |
Besoins financiers de l'initiative mondiale d'éradication de la poliomyélite (2004-2008)...
