The ups and downs of eradicating polio
Polio eradication continues to face challenges.In 2017 there were two outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). The Democratic Republic of Congo had 21 cases (the last on 3 December) and Syria 74 cases (the last on 21 September). These were not wild disease cases but polio caused by mutation of the weakened virus in the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Click here for an excellent two-minute animation explaining cVDPV.
We know cVDPV is a risk of the vaccination programme but, for the 800 cases of cVDPV we have had since we started fighting polio in the 1980’s, we have given 10 billion doses of OPV to 3 billion children and have prevented 13 million cases of polio. Ironically, the way to prevent the vaccine virus mutating is to ensure more children in a community are vaccinated! That is what happens when a cVDPV outbreak occurs. A rapid response mop-up immunisation programme is initiated within 14 days by the Global Polio Eradication partners.
In addition, we had a disappointing start to 2018 on the wild disease front with 3 cases reported in Afghanistan by 6th January. On the positive side; millions of children have been vaccinated in supplementary immunisation days involving tens of thousands of workers in Afghanistan and there has not been a case of polio in seven weeks.
Continuing on the positive, Pakistan has not had a case of polio since 15 November and Nigeria is now 18 months polio-free.
A fire service would not put out 99% of a fire. An astronaut would not fly 99% of the way to the moon. An athlete would not run 99% of a race. Rotary cannot stop at 99% of polio eradicated. We must see this through.
If you or your club would like to hear more about polio, the vaccines or the eradication programme please email the District Polio Committee at d9930polioplus@gmail.com