The last hurdle

Global eradication of the polio virus is almost achieved. There has been an impressive decrease in the number of endemic polio countries. From 125 in 1988, there are only four countries: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan still reporting cases at the end of 2006.

Removing the barriers to vaccination

The International Federation’s annual polio appeals are providing funds to national societies to enable more than 100,000 volunteers to work with Ministries of Health, other polio partners, and the beneficiaries themselves. Since 2000, more than 4 million Swiss francs have supported social mobilization activities in more than 70 national immunization campaigns in order to:

• Reach the most remote communities,
• Communicate the truth about the polio vaccine,
• Encourage caretakers to bring their children to vaccination,
• Provide valued assistance to health workers.

Contributions to date

More information on National Societies and their contributions to global polio eradication is available in the IFRC's 2008 document "Partnering for community impact".

Reports and publications

	Partnering for community impact, the incredible reduction in measles mortality and overcoming the last barriers to polio eradication, 2000-2007 Federation Report (1.8 Mb, 52 pages)
	International Federation Measles and Polio - Africa Health Initiative, Report 2006-2007 (233 Kb, 6 pages)
	Morbidity and mortality weekly review (MMWR) - Distribution of insecticide - Treated bednets during a polio immunization campaign (Niger 2005) (210 kb, 6 pages)
	The polio eradication endgame, by David L. Heymann and R. Bruce Aylward