Africa Kicks Out Wild Poliovirus (Video)

“The journey to ridding the African region of one of the most devastating diseases of all time is one of courage, determination and collective effort. In the early 90s, wild polio paralysed 75,000 children every year in Africa. Reaching every child in the region with the polio vaccine has not been easy. This is the story of innovation and creativity, with leaders and communities working towards one unified goal.”

On 25 August 2020, the WHO African Region was officially declared free of wild poliovirus by the independent Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) for Polio Eradication.

The journey to ridding the African region of one of the most devastating diseases of all time is one of courage, determination and collective effort. In the early 90s, wild polio paralysed 75,000 children every year in Africa.

Reaching every child in the region with the polio vaccine has not been easy. This is the story of innovation and creativity, with leaders and communities working towards one unified goal.

Today, Africa’s health systems and public health programmes are much stronger because of the vast investments made to eradicate polio.

Visit www.africakicksoutwildpolio.com to learn about the African region’s momentous journey to eradicating wild poliovirus.

The eradication of wild polio in the WHO African Region was made possible by the support and leadership of regional governments, partner organizations and donors from all over the world, who have lent their considerable support in the region since the launch of the ‘Kick Polio Out Of Africa Campaign’ in 1996.