Status of poliomyelitis eradication in Europe and the Central Asian Republics of the former Soviet Union

Abstract

In the European Region of the World Health Organization, all countries in which polio is endemic have adopted the following strategies: achievement of high routine vaccination coverage, implementation of supplemental immunization activities, and enhancement of surveillance for poliomyelitis. In 1995, 205 cases of poliomyelitis were reported. Routine coverage among 1- year-olds with three doses of poliovirus vaccine was 89% in 1995. Ten countries conducted national immunization days (NIDs). Twenty-four countries (48%) adopted acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. Use of NIDs has decreased poliomyelitis incidence in the seven countries in which polio is endemic (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) from 203 cases in 1994 to 47 in 1995, a 77% reduction. Full implementation of the strategies to achieve eradication in the countries in which polio is endemic, including those countries with epidemic poliovirus transmission during 1995, is likely to accomplish regional eradication of poliomyelitis by the year 2000 or earlier.