Introduction:
The day is celebrated every year to eradicate polio which is a priority for governments, and to implement the strategy to eradicate polio, based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world becomes polio-free, as well as adopting polices and having the required funds to put the prescribed strategy in place.
WHO is a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the largest private-public partnership for health, which has reduced polio by 99%. Polio now survives only among the world's poorest and most marginalized communities.
Facts:
- Polio is an infectious disease and potentially fatal.
- There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through safe and effective vaccines.
- Polio cases have been decreased by 99% since 1988.
- Every child is at risk until total eradication of the disease.
Objectives:
- Immunize every single child with polio vaccine to ensure a polio-free world.
- Prevent transmission of poliovirus as soon as possible, especially in 3 countries where polio remains endemic (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan).
- Achieve the ultimate goal to eradicate polio worldwide.
- Contribute to developing health organizations, enhancing routine immunization activities and monitoring communicable diseases systematically.
Official Date:
- Globally: October 24t, 2017
- Locally: Safar 3rd, 1439H.
Theme of World Polio Day:
We're Close to Ending the Second Human Disease in History
Target Groups:
- Children, aged 5 years and below.
- Health professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and health educators.
- Concerned individuals.
- People with weak immunity, and those who travel frequently.
- Health decision-makers.
- Health societies and organizations.
- The public.
Related Links:
https://www. endpolio. org
http://polioeradication. org/
https://www. cdc. gov
The World Day fact sheet is to be emailed to the General Department for Health Enhancement and Health Education:
Hpromotion@moh. gov. sa