[POLIOMYELITIS ERADICATION--ONE STEP TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Poliomyelitis, a disease caused by poliovirus, emerged as a significant global public health concern in the 20th century.
• The World Health Organization initiated a global eradication campaign in 1988, achieving a reduction of over 99% in poliomyelitis cases.
• Croatia achieved polio-free status in 2002 following the introduction of vaccination in 1961, demonstrating the impact of immunization programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the progress and ongoing challenges in the global eradication of poliomyelitis.
• To highlight the strategies outlined in the Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018.
• To discuss the transition from oral polio vaccine to inactivated polio vaccine for achieving a polio-free world.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical data on poliomyelitis epidemics and eradication efforts.
• Analysis of the World Health Organization's global polio eradication initiatives.
• Examination of the Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 and its components.

Main Results:

• Poliomyelitis cases have been reduced by more than 99% globally since 1988.
• The European region, including Croatia, was certified polio-free in 2002.
• Key challenges remain, including wild poliovirus transmission, reinfection risks, and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.

Conclusions:

• Despite significant progress, the complete eradication of poliomyelitis has not yet been achieved.
• The strategic plan addresses critical challenges to reaching the final goal of a polio-free world.
• Cessation of the global oral polio vaccine and universal adoption of the inactivated polio vaccine are planned future steps.