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Disease eradication

Progress Against Polio Threatened by Declining Vaccination Rates

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) commemorates World Polio Day, marking significant progress in reducing polio cases by over 99 percent since the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. However, with vaccination rates declining and new virus variants identified, experts warn of the risk of the disease spreading. In the WHO European Region, over 450,000 infants remained unvaccinated against poliovirus in 2024, and the poliovirus variant type 2 has been detected in six countries since September 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has achieved a 99 percent reduction in polio cases since its establishment in 1988.
  • The WHO European Region achieved polio-free status in 2002 and has maintained it since.
  • In 2024, more than 450,000 infants in the WHO European Region were not vaccinated against poliovirus.
  • The poliovirus variant type 2 has been detected in six countries in the region since September 2024, including Finland, Germany, Israel, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
  • Poland's hospital system is supporting 7 healthcare staff members who are combating the return of the virus through job rotations and new staff.
  • The WHO has recognized an outbreak of poliovirus type 1 in Israel in February 2025, but no poliovirus has been detected in the country in the past two months.
  • Igor Pereginets, Director of Health Security and Regional Emergencies at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, emphasizes the importance of timely vaccination to prevent the spread of the virus.
  • The WHO supports countries and partner organizations in the goal of eliminating all forms of poliovirus worldwide as quickly as possible.
  • Complete global elimination of poliovirus is necessary to prevent all countries and unvaccinated persons from remaining at risk.

Statistics:

  • Since the establishment of GPEI in 1988, the number of polio cases has been reduced by over 99 percent.
  • Over 450,000 infants in the WHO European Region remained unvaccinated against poliovirus in 2024.
  • The poliovirus variant type 2 has been detected in six countries in the region since September 2024.
  • Zero polio cases have been detected in countries detected with the virus in the past two months, due to high vaccination rates.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization. (n.d.). World Polio Day: Celebration in photos, 2025. Retrieved from
  • World Health Organization. (n.d.). Polio eradication initiative. Retrieved from
  • World Health Organization. (n.d.). Statement on the progress of polio eradication in the WHO European Region. Retrieved from

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