Polio vaccination remains essential
23.10.2025 13:50
October 24 is World Polio Day. Polio vaccination is considered one of the greatest achievements in prevention. It has prevented millions of cases of paralysis and saved hundreds of thousands of lives. It has eradicated a disease that, even in Germany in the 1950s, paralyzed thousands of children and caused many deaths. A recent study involving scientists from Bielefeld University, published in the German Medical Journal, now shows that despite these unprecedented successes, willingness to vaccinate must not wane.
„"Containing polio is one of the greatest successes of public health, i.e., health care for the entire population," says Professor Dr. Oliver Razum of Bielefeld University, the last author of the article. "But we must also continue vaccinating against polio in Germany. Complete eradication of the disease will not be achieved in the foreseeable future."“
The study, titled "Successes and Obstacles in the Late Phase of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative," involved researchers from Bielefeld and Heidelberg, among others. It summarizes the history and current status of the global program, which the World Health Organization (WHO) launched in 1988. Since then, the number of cases has been reduced by 99.99 percent. Nevertheless, the disease remains a global threat.
Why polio doesn't disappear
Poliomyelitis, or polio for short, is caused by highly infectious viruses that primarily affect children. In 90 to 95 percent of cases, the infection is asymptomatic. However, a small percentage of those infected experience permanent paralysis, particularly of the legs. In severe cases, the disease is fatal due to respiratory muscle failure.
Although large parts of the world are now considered polio-free, so-called wild viruses continue to circulate in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Another problem arises: mutations of vaccine viruses that trigger new outbreaks in countries with low vaccination rates. International mobility also allows such viruses to reach industrialized countries. Recently, they appeared in wastewater samples in several European cities, including Germany.
Funding gaps and vaccine fatigue
The study's authors also warn of new risks. International donors such as the US development agency USAID are cutting their funding. This is shrinking resources for vaccination campaigns, while conflicts, weak health systems, and growing vaccine hesitancy are exacerbating the problem.
Razum therefore sees a clear implication: "We cannot rely solely on the goal of eradication. What is crucial is that we achieve consistently high vaccination rates everywhere in the world." Doctors in Germany also play an important role in this. They should routinely check vaccination status and administer missing vaccinations.
The study thus comes to a sobering but clear conclusion: Polio will likely continue to concern the global community for a long time to come. However, consistent vaccination can prevent the disease from becoming a threat again.
Original publication
Olaf Müller, Guangyu Lu, Peter Meissner, Lorenz von Seidlein, Albrecht Jahn, Oliver Razum: Successes and Obstacles in the Late Phase of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Deutsches Ärzteblatt. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0079. Published on July 11, 2025.