Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026 Launched

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) recently launched the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026: Delivering on a Promise at a virtual event to overcome the remaining challenges to ending polio.

While polio cases have fallen 99.9% since 1988, polio remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and persistent barriers to reaching every child with polio vaccines and the pandemic have contributed to an increase in polio cases.

During 2020, there were over 1,200 cases of all forms of polio recorded compared to just 138 in 2018, according to the WHO.

On June 10, 2021, leaders from the two countries yet to interrupt wild polio transmission, Pakistan and Afghanistan, called for renewed global solidarity and the continued resources necessary to eradicate this vaccine-preventable disease.

Since 2000, the inactivated polio vaccine is most often given in the USA. It is administered by a shot in the arm or leg, depending on the person’s age, says the U.S. CDC.

The CDC recommends that children get polio vaccinated to protect against poliomyelitis. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Vaccine Recommendations is published on this webpage.

On June 11, 2021, the CDC issued Level 2 Travel Alerts for Africa and Asia regarding active polio outbreaks.