Polio Eradication in India
Presented on .
The polio crisis of the early 20th century has been largely forgotten in the U.S. due to the creation of the Salk vaccine and the effective immunization campaigns of the 1950s. Unfortunately, the wild poliovirus (WPV) still remains a real public health threat in many corners of the world. In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate polio transmission by 2000, and as a result, global polio incidence declined by more than 99%, from an estimated 350,000 cases in 125 countries to 1,659 confirmed cases in 25 countries in 2008. Although there was substantial progress up to 2002 in preventing transmission of WPV, the pace of progress has since slowed or reversed. India, along with a handful of other nations with low routine immunization coverage, has served as a reservoir of wild poliovirus for importation into other countries that were once polio-free.
This session of Public Health Grand Rounds focused on current efforts to contain the remaining polio cases in India, as well as discussed measures needed to completely eradicate this public health burden globally.
- Steve L. Cochi, MD, MPH
- Senior Advisor, Global Immunization Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC
- Harmid Jafari, MD
- Medical Epidemiologist, Global Immunization Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC
- Mark A. Pallansch, PhD
- Chief, Polio and Picornavirus Laboratory Branch, Division of Viral Diseases
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC
- Walter R. Dowdle, PhD
- Director, Poliovirus Antiviral Initiative
Task Force for Global Health
- Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD
- Scientific Director
Get notified about the latest updates from Public Health Grand Rounds right in your inbox by setting up an alert today!
Get notified about the latest updates from Public Health Grand Rounds right in your inbox by setting up an alert today!Sign Up
Get notified about the latest updates from Public Health Grand Rounds right in your inbox by setting up an alert today!

The polio crisis has been largely forgotten in the US due to the Salk vaccine and the effective immunization campaigns of the 1950s. Unfortunately, the wild poliovirus still remains a real public health threat in many corners of the world. Learn about current efforts to contain polio in India and globally.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can cause serious health complications. Hear how increased focus on field and laboratory surveillance, and innovative vaccination solutions can accelerate the elimination of measles worldwide.