The case for polio eradication
Polio is one of only a limited number of diseases – along with measles and dracunculiasis – that can be eradicated. This is because:
- polio only affects people – there is no virus reservoir in animals
- a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine exists
- immunity is life-long
- the virus can only survive for a very short time in the environment.
In 2011, only four countries remain polio-endemic . This has prompted some to propose that the eradication goal should be replaced by one of ‘effective control’. However, economic modeling studies have demonstrated both the financial and humanitarian benefits of polio eradication. Even a temporary cutback in funds would jeopardize the entire eradication effort.
The economic and humanitarian case for completing polio eradication
Eradication is more efficient than control
Studies on the cost-effectiveness of polio eradication demonstrate that where eradication is feasible, ‘control’ is never the most cost-effective option. An estimated US$ 10 billion would be needed over a 20-year period to maintain polio cases at current levels, were the goal of eradication to be abandoned. Eradicating polio worldwide could provide net benefits of at least US$40-50 billion if transmission of wild polioviruses is interrupted by 2015. Nearly all of these savings (85%) would accrue in low-income countries. An additional $17-90 billion would be saved due to benefits from the life-saving effects of delivering vitamin A supplements.
Read more about the economic benefits of polio eradication
Routine immunization alone would result in a rapid increase in polio cases
Given current rates of routine immunization and the relative weakness of health systems in many parts of the world, depending on routine immunization alone would lead to 200 000 to 250 000 polio cases per year resulting in an estimated four million paralysed children over the next 20 years.
Completing eradication will bring broader benefits
The investment in polio eradication pays major dividends beyond preventing millions of polio cases. For example, the investment in polio has helped avert 1.25 million deaths through vitamin A supplementation and 2.3 million deaths through measles mortality reduction activities. Investing in eradication will facilitate the continued integration of the polio infrastructure and operations with other activities.