Anti-polio vaccinations in the third millennia.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Poliomyelitis, a highly infectious viral disease primarily affecting children, prompted a global eradication initiative in 1988.
• Wild poliovirus type 2 was last seen in 1999, and type 3 in 2012, indicating substantial progress.
• The Global Polio Eradication Initiative faced setbacks due to fundamentalism, civil war, and vaccine-derived polioviruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the progress and challenges in the global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis.
• To highlight the current status and remaining obstacles in the final phase of polio eradication.
• To underscore the significance of recent advancements in the polio endgame.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical data on poliomyelitis cases and eradication efforts.
• Analysis of factors hindering vaccination programs and disease eradication.
• Documentation of key milestones, including vaccine switches and certifications.

Main Results:

• Record low numbers of polio cases reported in recent years, with only 12 cases by October 2017.
• Successful eradication of wild poliovirus type 2.
• Continued circulation of vaccine-derived polioviruses poses a threat to eradication goals.

Conclusions:

• Polio eradication is in its final chapter, often termed the 'polio endgame'.
• Despite significant progress, challenges remain, necessitating sustained global commitment.
• The transition to bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine is a critical step in achieving complete eradication.