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Polio's Persistent Fight: What's Holding Us Back?

Afghanistan, Nigeria, PakistanWednesday, October 29, 2025
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The Goal and Progress

  • 1988: The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) set an ambitious goal.
  • Target: Eradicate polio by 2000.
  • 2014: Only three countries—Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan—remained with wild polio.
  • Nigeria: Successfully interrupted transmission.
  • Afghanistan & Pakistan: Still struggling.

Challenges

  • Vaccine-Derived Polio: Emerges when the oral vaccine's type 2 strain circulates.
  • Lack of Urgency & Political Will: Countries aren't stepping up.
  • Declining Immunization Rates: Routine childhood vaccinations have dropped.
  • Weak Response to Outbreaks: Efforts aren't as strong as needed.
  • Security Issues: Difficulty reaching all who need the vaccine.

Impact of COVID-19

  • Shifted Focus: Pandemic diverted attention from polio eradication.
  • Funding Crisis: 2025 faces a serious funding shortfall.
  • Risk of Reversal: Progress could be undone without urgent action.

The Path Forward

  • Critical Moment: Challenges are many but not insurmountable.
  • Urgent Action Needed: Renewed commitment is essential.
  • Polio Eradication: Still within reach with determined effort.
gpeipakistanafghanistan nigeria

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