Global Polyester Eradication Initiative welcomes WHO African region for wild confirmation of polio-free

Today, the African Regional Confirmation Commission confirmed the WHO African Region as a wild poliological disease after four years without a case. With this historic milestone, five of the six WHO regions – which make up over 90% of the world’s population – are now free of wild polioviruses, bringing the world closer to achieving global polio eradication.

Only two countries around the world still see the transmission of wild polioviruses: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) congratulates the national governments of 47 countries in the WHO African region on today’s achievement.

“The end of the wild polio virus in Africa is one of the greatest public health achievements of our time and provides a strong inspiration to all of us to complete the work of polio eradication globally,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “I thank and congratulate governments, health workers, community volunteers, traditional and religious leaders and parents across the region who have worked together to eradicate wild polio from Africa.”

Strong leadership and innovation have been key in stopping wild polioviruses in the region. Countries have successfully coordinated their efforts to overcome the great challenges of immunizing children, such as high population movements, conflicts and insecurities that limit access to health services, and the virus’s ability to spread rapidly and travel across borders.

In addition, the continued generosity and shared commitment of donors – including governments, the private sector, multilateral institutions and philanthropic organizations – to achieving a world free of polio has helped build infrastructure that has enabled the African region to have more children with polio than ever before. .

“During a challenging year for global health, the certification of the African region as a wild poliovirus is a sign of hope and progress that shows what can be achieved through collaboration and perseverance,” said Rotary International President Holger Knaack. “Since 1996, when Nelson Mandela joined Rotary, the Global Initiative for the Eradication of Polytherapy and the governments of the African region, we have achieved something significant. Today’s milestone tells us that polio eradication is possible, as long as the world remains committed to completing the work. We work together to harness our collective energies to overcome remaining challenges and fulfill our promise of a world free of polyosis. “

The resources and expertise used to remove wild polyol have significantly contributed to African public health and the epidemic response system. The polio program provides far-reaching health benefits to local communities, from supporting the African region’s response to COVID-19 to strengthening routine immunization against other vaccine-preventable diseases.

While this is an extraordinary milestone, we must not become complacent. Continued commitment to strengthening immune and health systems in the African region is key to protecting progress from wild polio and combating the spread of poliovirus virus vaccine type 2 (cVDPV2) present in 16 countries in the region. Pockets with low immunity mean that such strains continue to pose a threat, and the risk is increased by vaccination interruptions due to COVID-19, which have made communities more vulnerable to the cVDPV2 epidemic.

GPEI urges countries and donors to be vigilant on all forms of polio. Until every attempt is eradicated worldwide, the incredible progress made against polyols globally will be jeopardized.

The success of the WHO African region against wild polio has shown the world that progress is possible in the face of some of the biggest global health challenges. GPEI is grateful to every person, partner, donor and country who helped make this amazing achievement happen.

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Note to editors:

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a public-private partnership led by national governments with six major partners – the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi. Vaccine Alliance.

For information and multimedia content on the efforts of the WHO African Region to eradicate wild polio, visit africakicksoutwildpolio.comFor more information on the global effort to stop polymers, visit polioeradication.org,,