A remarkable milestone has been reached in the fight against polio, and it's time to celebrate and reflect on the progress made. The WHO South-East Asia Region, home to a quarter of the world's population, has maintained its polio-free status for an incredible 15 years! This achievement is a testament to the power of global collaboration and unwavering dedication to public health.
But here's where it gets controversial: some might argue that eradicating polio is just the beginning. The true test lies in sustaining this success and ensuring that the lessons learned drive broader health improvements. And this is the part most people miss - the incredible legacy of the polio programme.
Let's delve into the story behind this achievement and explore how it continues to shape public health initiatives.
It all began on a fateful day in 2011 when an 18-month-old girl in Howrah, West Bengal, India, was paralyzed by wild poliovirus. This tragic event sparked an extensive and intensive response, ensuring that it remained the last case of its kind in the region. Three years later, in 2014, the WHO South-East Asia Region was officially certified polio-free, a momentous occasion that marked the beginning of a new era.
Since then, the region has been vigilant in maintaining its polio-free status. Through innovative strategies and lessons learned from the polio programme, they've accelerated progress in various public health domains. Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Region, emphasizes the role of strong leadership, a dedicated healthcare workforce, and robust partnerships in achieving and sustaining this success.
The region's commitment to surveillance is evident. In 2025 alone, over 50,000 stool samples were collected and tested across a network of 13 WHO-accredited polio laboratories. This extensive surveillance network, including national, regional, and global reference laboratories, ensures that any potential poliovirus transmission is quickly detected and addressed.
Furthermore, environmental surveillance is conducted at 93 sites among high-risk populations in five countries, adding an extra layer of sensitivity to their monitoring efforts.
The region's immunization coverage has been consistently strong, maintaining high population immunity. According to the WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), coverage with bivalent oral polio vaccine and at least one dose of inactivated polio vaccine has remained above 90% for many years. This commitment to vaccination has not wavered, even during humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The South-East Asia Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (SEA-RCCPE) provides independent oversight, meeting annually to review country progress and verify the region's polio-free status. This commission plays a crucial role in ensuring that the region remains vigilant and responsive to any potential threats.
The benefits of the polio programme extend far beyond the eradication of a single disease. Member countries have utilized the innovations, systems, and operational lessons from polio eradication to strengthen routine immunization, advance measles and rubella elimination, enhance public health laboratory capacities, and improve emergency preparedness. These efforts have been instrumental in reaching previously underserved communities and closing immunity gaps.
Member countries have also made significant strides in combating other vaccine-preventable diseases. The region continues to sustain the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus, while the introduction and scale-up of vaccines against pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, and human papillomavirus have reduced mortality and long-term disease burden.
However, the Officer-in-Charge cautions that the risk of poliovirus importation remains as long as the disease exists anywhere in the world. Countries must sustain high immunization coverage, maintain sensitive surveillance, and develop rapid response capacities not only for polio but also for other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr. Boehme emphasizes that the journey from polio endemicity to sustained polio-free status proves that ambitious public health goals are indeed achievable. WHO remains committed to supporting countries in protecting every child through strong routine immunization systems and advancing disease elimination across the region.
The polio legacy continues to inspire and drive public health initiatives, and it's a story worth sharing. What are your thoughts on this remarkable achievement? Do you think the lessons learned from polio eradication can effectively address other public health challenges? We'd love to hear your insights and opinions in the comments below!
