What are the initiatives of World Health Organisation (WHO) for Polio eradication?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working on polio eradication for several decades through a number of initiatives and programs. Some of the key initiatives and efforts include:

Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): Launched in 1988, the GPEI is a partnership between WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNICEF, with support from governments and other organizations. The goal of the GPEI is to eradicate polio globally through the widespread vaccination of children, surveillance for cases of polio, and response to outbreaks.

Polio vaccine: WHO has played a key role in the development and distribution of safe and effective vaccines to prevent polio. There are currently two types of polio vaccines: inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). IPV is injected and provides immunity to all three types of poliovirus, while OPV is given orally and provides immunity to all three types, but may also carry a very small risk of vaccine-associated paralysis.

Immunization campaigns: WHO works with national governments and partners to plan and implement mass vaccination campaigns to reach as many children as possible with the polio vaccine. These campaigns often involve door-to-door vaccination efforts, as well as fixed and mobile vaccination sites in urban and rural areas.

Surveillance: WHO monitors for cases of polio globally through a network of laboratories and surveillance systems. This includes detecting cases of paralysis and collecting samples for laboratory testing to confirm the presence of poliovirus.

Response to outbreaks: If cases of polio are detected, WHO works with national governments and partners to respond quickly and effectively to prevent the spread of the virus. This may include additional vaccination campaigns, strengthening surveillance and laboratory systems, and implementing other control measures.

The efforts of WHO and the GPEI have had significant success in reducing the incidence of polio globally. In 1988, when the GPEI was launched, polio was endemic in 125 countries and caused an estimated 350,000 cases of paralysis each year. As of 2021, polio remains endemic in only two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan), and the number of cases has been reduced by more than 99% compared to 1988.

However, the goal of complete eradication has not yet been achieved, and continued efforts are needed to interrupt transmission of the virus and sustain gains made so far. This includes maintaining high vaccination coverage, strengthening surveillance systems, and responding effectively to outbreaks.