Polio Eradication: The final drive

Abstract

Since the launch of Global Polio Eradication Initiative, remarkable progress has been made in the progress towards the goal. However, transmission of wild poliovirus still persists in the four endemic countries of Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Afghanistan. While wild poliovirus type 1 transmission has been reduced by intensive use of monovalent OPV1 vaccines, transmission of wild poliovirus type 3 has increased. As emerging operational research throws new light on the epidemiology of transmission and risk-factors, strategies have to be adjusted and readjusted to meet the specific needs. The present article discusses the current situation of global polio eradication with emphasis on the Indian scenario.