Polio almost eradicated globally

In 1988 the international community aimed to eradicate polio globally. A similar thing had been done once before with the eradication of smallpox in 1974 (Devex, October 27, 2015). Consequently polio cases were reduced by 99.9%. Only Afghanistan and Pakistan are still reporting cases of the polio virus, but these are fewer and fewer.

Now the World Health Organization (WHO) will concentrate on reducing tuberculosis (TB) from 2016 to 2030 by 90%. What lessons can WHO learn from the eradication of polio?

Polio eradication had specific targets, with specific indicators to measure success – which were monitored regularly.

Polio eradication had traditional methods for reducing the spread, but it also learned to innovate and try new techniques.

Polio eradication involved local communities and trusted social influencers to champion the cause, educate and advocate, as well as monitor progress, and deliver the vaccines. Local community leaders served their own and adjacent communities so they were knowlegeable about the region, the parents and their children.

Polio eradication involved quality research to help understand local attitudes towards the vaccine, the vaccinators, and the program. This research not only helped to improve the vaccine, but to deliver the vaccine in a way that met cultural needs.

Polio eradication had the support of governments which campaigned to eliminate the disease. They also put in place administrative controls, quality controls, and accountability mechanisms.

Polio and smallpox are not quite eradicated as outbreaks still occur, but an ambitious TB program could also get nearer its goal of eradication.

https://www.devex.com/news/polio-on-the-brink-of-eradication-87156

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