30 Years of Wild Polio Eradication in the Americas: A Milestone on World Polio Day

Strategic Insights -

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is marking the 30th anniversary of the certification of wild poliovirus transmission eradication in the Region of the Americas. Achieving this milestone was the result of sustained efforts by governments, PAHO, and partners, including child vaccination and surveillance. Despite the progress, the PAHO Director emphasized the importance of continued support for vaccination programs and the need to address misinformation and distrust. The global decline in polio cases has been significant, with a 99% reduction since 1988, but there are still two endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Americas have been certified as free of wild polio for 30 years, with the last case detected in September 1991 in Peru.
  • Polio cases globally have declined by more than 99% since 1988, with only two endemic countries remaining: Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • In 2023, 87% of children in the Americas had received the third dose of the polio vaccine, a recovery from 83% in 2022 but still below the recommended coverage rate.
  • The PAHO Director emphasized the continued importance of sustained vaccination coverage and surveillance to detect imported cases.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic and misinformation have affected vaccination coverage in some areas and populations in the region.
  • The PAHO Director highlighted the need for sustained efforts to achieve a polio-free world, with a focus on mitigating the risk of vaccine-derived cases.

Statistics:

  • Polio cases globally have declined by more than 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350,000 cases in more than 125 endemic countries.
  • In 1975, the region reported nearly 6,000 cases of polio.
  • There are only two endemic countries: Pakistan (with 106 cases in 2022) and Afghanistan (with 98 cases in 2022).
  • In 2023, 87% of children in the Americas had received the third dose of the polio vaccine, a recovery from 83% in 2022.

Sources:

  • Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
  • Pan American Health Organization Press Release, October 23