Summary of Polio-Related Attacks on Health Workers

Abstract:

Since 1988, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunized against polio through programs in more than 200 countries involving some 20 million volunteers and an international investment of over US$8 billion. By 2006, polio cases around the world had decreased by over 99% and remained endemic in only four countries – Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan – with a handful of other countries reporting sporadic cases. In 2008, the World Health Assembly called for the formulation of a concerted global strategy to eradicate polio from these remaining countries and create a polio-free world. This led to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Strategic Plan 2010 – 2012, an aggressive action- and time-specific initiative to end polio transmission in the remaining areas where this persisted.

See also: Health