Polio Eradication: The Global Campaign to End a Disease Forever

Polio eradication is the multinational effort to permanently eliminate poliovirus worldwide, led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 1988. Wild poliovirus types 2 and 3 have already been declared eradicated, and only Afghanistan and Pakistan remain endemic for type 1. The final stretch is complicated by vaccine-derived strains, conflict, and fragile health systems.