Polio's Persistent Fight: What's Holding Us Back?

Polio eradication has been a long, winding road. Back in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) set an ambitious goal. By 2000, they aimed to wipe out polio. They didn't quite make it, but progress was still impressive. By 2014, only three countries—Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan—were still dealing with wild polio. Nigeria managed to interrupt transmission, but Afghanistan and Pakistan are still struggling. That's not the only hurdle. There's also the issue of vaccine-derived polio, which pops up when the oral vaccine's type 2 strain circulates. So, what's been holding us back since 2014? A few things. First, there's a lack of urgency and political will. Countries aren't stepping up like they used to. Routine childhood immunization rates have dropped. And when outbreaks happen, the response isn't as strong as it needs to be. Security issues in affected areas also make it tough to reach everyone who needs the vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic didn't help. It shifted focus away from polio eradication. Now, funding is drying up. In 2025, the GPEI is facing a serious funding shortfall. If this isn't addressed, all the progress made so far could be reversed. It's a critical moment. The challenges are many, but they're not insurmountable. With urgent action and renewed commitment, polio eradication is still within reach.