About this Research Topic
In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio), aiming to eliminate this paralytic and potentially fatal disease by the year 2000. Although the original target date was not met, significant progress has been made. Under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a partnership among national health ministries and international organizations like WHO, UNICEF, and CDC, the number of wild poliovirus (WPV) cases globally has drastically reduced, with only 22 cases reported in 2022. Endemic transmission persists in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and only serotype 1 of WPV remains in circulation.
While Pakistan has made strides in reducing transmission, challenges remain, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Many children are missed in vaccination campaigns due to insecurity and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, combining the efforts of national programs and frontline workers with innovative strategies to improve vaccine access.
This collection of research articles will primarily focus on polio eradication in Pakistan but will also include studies from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region, encompassing countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and areas in the Middle East and Horn of Africa. It will also consider global studies with relevant implications for Pakistan and the region.
Topics will include:
o History and current status of polio eradication in Pakistan and key regions in the Eastern Mediterranean
o Epidemiology of polio and trends in virus transmission across these areas
o Surveillance for poliovirus via AFP and environmental systems
o Outbreak detection and response for vaccine-derived polioviruses
o Laboratory and genomic analyses of circulating viruses
o Implementation and monitoring of supplementary immunization activities
o Routine immunization within the context of eradication efforts
o Synergy between the Polio Eradication Initiative and Expanded Programme on Immunization
o Integrated service delivery through international and community-based partnerships
o Analytics and modeling of transmission patterns
o Global and regional eradication initiatives with lessons applicable to the Pakistan polio context
o Strategies to overcome vaccine hesitancy and improve acceptance in high-risk areas
While Pakistan has made strides in reducing transmission, challenges remain, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Many children are missed in vaccination campaigns due to insecurity and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, combining the efforts of national programs and frontline workers with innovative strategies to improve vaccine access.
This collection of research articles will primarily focus on polio eradication in Pakistan but will also include studies from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region, encompassing countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and areas in the Middle East and Horn of Africa. It will also consider global studies with relevant implications for Pakistan and the region.
Topics will include:
o History and current status of polio eradication in Pakistan and key regions in the Eastern Mediterranean
o Epidemiology of polio and trends in virus transmission across these areas
o Surveillance for poliovirus via AFP and environmental systems
o Outbreak detection and response for vaccine-derived polioviruses
o Laboratory and genomic analyses of circulating viruses
o Implementation and monitoring of supplementary immunization activities
o Routine immunization within the context of eradication efforts
o Synergy between the Polio Eradication Initiative and Expanded Programme on Immunization
o Integrated service delivery through international and community-based partnerships
o Analytics and modeling of transmission patterns
o Global and regional eradication initiatives with lessons applicable to the Pakistan polio context
o Strategies to overcome vaccine hesitancy and improve acceptance in high-risk areas
Keywords: Polio, Pakistan, Polio Eradication, Vaccination, Immunization, Disease Surveillance
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