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The 24 October campaign, the last strongholds of wild poliovirus, and why vaccination still matters
World Polio Day is observed every year on 24 October. It was established by Rotary International to raise awareness and funds for ending polio. Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) began in 1988, cases of wild poliovirus have fallen by more than 99%, from an estimated 350,000 cases a year in 125 countries to a small number each year. Wild poliovirus is now endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus in under-vaccinated communities remain a serious challenge.
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route (contaminated water or food) and mostly affects children under five.
There is no cure, but polio is preventable by vaccination.
| Vaccine | How given | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) | Injection | Developed by Jonas Salk (1955); very safe |
| Oral polio vaccine (OPV) | Drops by mouth | Developed by Albert Sabin; cheap, easy, builds gut immunity |
| Novel OPV2 (nOPV2) | Drops by mouth | Newer, more genetically stable vaccine against type 2 outbreaks |
India was once considered one of the hardest places to eliminate polio. The country reported more than half of the world's cases in 2009. Through massive Pulse Polio campaigns, which vaccinated tens of millions of children on single days, house-to-house follow-up and strong surveillance, India recorded its last wild polio case in January 2011. The WHO South-East Asia Region, including India, was certified polio-free in March 2014.
As long as polio exists anywhere, children everywhere are at risk. The virus can be carried across borders by infected people, most of whom have no symptoms. In recent years, poliovirus has been detected in wastewater in several high-income countries, showing the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.
Every year on 24 October.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where wild poliovirus transmission has never been interrupted.
Yes. India's last wild polio case was in January 2011, and it was certified polio-free as part of the WHO South-East Asia Region in March 2014.
A rare form that can emerge when the weakened virus in oral polio vaccine circulates for a long time in under-immunised communities and regains the ability to cause paralysis.
Yes, though children under five are most affected. Unvaccinated adults can be infected and spread the virus.
Polio is closer to eradication than ever. Only one type of wild virus remains, in two countries. Finishing the job depends on reaching every child with vaccines, sustaining funding and keeping surveillance strong. Until then, World Polio Day remains a reminder to keep vaccinating.
