Geneva, 24 October 2022 (TDI): World Polio Day is observed every year on 24 October all across the globe. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about global efforts toward a polio-free world & highlighting the progress made in terms of eradicating polio worldwide.
Theme of 2022
The theme chosen for this year’s World Polio Day 2022 is “A healthier future for mothers and children”.
Significance of World Polio Day
World Polio Day provides an opportunity to thank all the dedicated health professionals who are delivering on the promise. They go door-to-door to administer vaccines in often challenging circumstances, to safeguard every eligible child.
Moreover, this day is all about acknowledging the fact that the tools, infrastructure, and knowledge developed to eradicate polio have saved countless lives across the globe.
WHO has launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI) strategy for the period of 2022 to 2026.
On this occasion, Commissioners for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and the Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Dr. Andrea Ammon gave a statement.
They stated that “Polio remains an international health threat. It is a threat that we can tackle, and we have the preventive tool for it. The EU has remained polio-free for 20 years thanks to the broad vaccination we have achieved against it.
But the recent discovery of vaccine-derived poliovirus and a case of paralytic polio in Europe and the United States are stark reminders that we must remain vigilant”.
Also read: Prime Minister of Pakistan & Bill Gates discuss Polio Eradication
In addition, this GPEI strategy would help in delivering a world free of polio. The strategy would help in strengthening the public health system and boosting the overall response to other health threats and emergencies as well.
History of Polio Day
Established in 1985 by Rotary International this day is observed to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who was the lead medical researcher of the team that developed a vaccine against polio.
On this day different organizations like Rotary International and WHO host several events to raise awareness about the polio virus.
