Lessons from poliovirus control: strategies for eradication

Resolutions of the questions of how and where eradication of poliomyelitis can bc achieved will continue to be major objectivcs in the next few years. The World Health Organization Expanded Programme on Immunization was initiated with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality rates from seven target diseases, including poliomyelitis, by providing immunization against them forcvery child in the world. The program depends heavily upon technical Cooperation with and among developing countries, particularly those in tropical regions. Results are already being seen: increasing numbers of countries now participate in the EPI program or are otherwise enhancing their polio vaccination efforts. Better and more complete surveillance programs have been implemented to detect and assess cases that occur, as global efforts increase to control polio.