Why Polio has not been eradicated ?

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Polio has not been fully eradicated from some areas of the world due to a combination of factors. These include:

  1. Insecurity and Conflict Zones: In areas affected by war or conflict, such as parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, it can be difficult to access children for vaccination due to security concerns, making it challenging to maintain consistent immunization efforts.
  2. Vaccine Misinformation: Misinformation and mistrust regarding vaccines have led to vaccine hesitancy in some regions. In particular, false claims about the polio vaccine, often spread through local communities or media, have caused parents to refuse vaccinations for their children.
  3. Geographical and Logistical Barriers: Some regions, especially remote and rural areas, are difficult to reach due to poor infrastructure or harsh geographical conditions. This complicates the delivery of vaccines and regular immunization campaigns.
  4. Weak Health Systems: In some countries, weak health infrastructures mean that routine immunization services are inconsistent, which leads to gaps in vaccination coverage. This allows the virus to persist in certain areas.
  5. Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (c VDPV): In areas with low immunization coverage, the weakened virus used in oral polio vaccines (OPV) can mutate and spread in under-immunized communities, leading to outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio.

How Eradication of Polio Can Be Achieved:

  1. Strengthening Immunization Programs: Achieving high immunization coverage in every region is critical. Routine immunization, including both oral polio vaccines (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccines (IPV), must be maintained and improved to ensure that all children are protected.
  2. Addressing Misinformation: Public health campaigns that engage communities and provide accurate information about the safety and importance of the polio vaccine are essential. Trust-building with local leaders and influencers can help reduce vaccine hesitancy.
  3. Reaching Conflict Zones: Special efforts, often involving collaboration with local and international humanitarian organizations, are required to ensure access to vaccination in conflict-affected areas. Negotiating temporary ceasefires to allow health workers safe passage has been one strategy.
  4. Improving Health Systems: Strengthening local health infrastructure and ensuring the availability of vaccines in every region will support regular and widespread immunization. This includes training health workers and ensuring cold chain systems to keep vaccines viable.
  5. Global Surveillance: Strong disease surveillance is crucial to quickly detect and respond to any new cases of polio, including outbreaks caused by vaccine-derived strains. Rapid response vaccination campaigns in areas where cases emerge are necessary to contain the spread.
  6. Switching to IPV: Gradually shifting from OPV to IPV (which does not carry the risk of vaccine-derived outbreaks) as the primary polio vaccine can prevent circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (c VDPV). However, this requires significant logistical and financial support.

By overcoming these challenges, global eradication of polio can be achieved, as demonstrated by the progress made in reducing cases worldwide. However, sustained international cooperation, investment, and public health efforts are essential to reach the last mile in polio eradication.

 

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