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World Polio Day 2025
What's the News?
- World Polio Day will be observed globally on October 24, 2025, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first polio vaccine in 1955.
- The 2025 theme "End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere" emphasizes the need for universal vaccine coverage to achieve complete eradication.
- Despite India's polio-free certification by WHO in 2014, vigilance remains crucial as neighboring countries Afghanistan and Pakistan still report polio cases.
- Global polio cases have decreased by 99.9% since 1988, with only 188 cases reported in the first nine months of 2025, down from over 500 cases in the previous year.
India's Polio-Free Journey
- Historical achievement:
- India was officially declared polio-free by WHO in 2014 after three consecutive years without reported cases.
- This success resulted from nationwide immunization programs ensuring every child received multiple doses of the polio vaccine.
- The country overcame significant challenges including high population density, poor sanitation, and vaccine hesitancy.
- Continued vigilance:
- India maintains surveillance systems to detect any potential polio re-emergence.
- The Pulse Polio Immunization program continues with routine immunization drives.
- Special focus on high-risk areas near international borders with endemic countries.
Global Polio Eradication Status
- Current landscape:
- Polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a dramatic reduction from 127 countries affected when GPEI launched.
- Wild poliovirus type 1 is the only remaining strain, with types 2 and 3 certified eradicated in 2012 and 2019 respectively.
- Vaccine-derived poliovirus cases continue to emerge in under-vaccinated communities across 33 countries.
- Recent progress:
- Only 12 wild poliovirus cases reported globally in 2025 (down from 99 in 2024).
- Gaza successfully conducted large-scale polio immunization reaching 603,000 children in February 2025, preventing resurgence.
- Global funding remains critical, with a reported $1.7 billion shortfall for 2025 eradication efforts.
Additional Info
- About Poliomyelitis (Polio):
- It is a highly infectious and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus.
- The virus primarily affects children under five and can invade the nervous system, causing irreversible paralysis.
- Polio is preventable through vaccination.
- Types of Polio Vaccines:
- Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV): Developed by Jonas Salk, it is a "killed" virus vaccine administered via injection.
- Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): Developed by Albert Sabin, it is a "live" weakened virus vaccine given as oral drops.