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World Polio Day: A Call to Action for Global Eradication

World Polio Day: A Call to Action for Global Eradication

World Polio Day serves as a crucial reminder that polio still threatens children everywhere. To finish polio completely,it is essential for every child to receive the vaccine. However, thousands of children still miss out. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination campaigns. Many children live in remote, fragile, and conflict-affected areas, making access to vaccines difficult.

A decline in childhood immunization rates has led to rising polio outbreaks in countries that were once polio-free. This global spread highlights that until all polio forms are eradicated, every child remains at risk. The world enters the final phase of polio eradication, but significant challenges make this stage particularly difficult. UNICEF, a leading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), vaccinates over 400 million children each year. Our focus lies in providing safe vaccines and building trust to encourage parents to vaccinate.

UNICEF oversees the procurement and distribution of more than 1 billion polio vaccine doses each year, accounting for over 50% of global oral polio vaccines (OPV). We collaborate with manufacturers to ensure an adequate supply at competitive prices for immunization campaigns. We also invest in supply chain infrastructure and train health workers to maintain the cold chain during transport and storage.

Polio outbreaks often stem from weak health systems and low immunization rates. When outbreaks occur, UNICEF leads large-scale immunization campaigns to boost immunity and stop the spread of disease. We deploy rapid response teams to distribute vaccines and address misinformation while gaining support from governments and partners.

Polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In these countries, along with several outbreak-affected nations in Africa, UNICEF and partners integrate health, nutrition, education, and WASH services into vaccination campaigns, emphasizing resource sharing to improve overall health for vulnerable children.

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