A crippling disease on the brink of global eradication. Two effective vaccines—Salk (IPV) and Sabin (OPV)—have brought the world close to elimination.
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under 5 years of age. The virus is transmitted through contaminated water and food and multiplies in the intestine. In approximately 1 in 200 infections, the virus invades the nervous system, causing irreversible paralysis (WHO, 2024).
Global polio eradication remains a top public health priority. The WHO's Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), launched in 1988, has reduced cases by 99.9%. As of 2024, wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan (CDC, 2024).
The United States has been polio-free since 1979. However, the threat of importation remains, making continued vaccination critical.
The U.S. uses IPV exclusively. Children receive doses at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years. Adults who are unvaccinated or have unknown status should receive 3 doses.