The WHO European Region was certified free of indigenous wild poliovirus by the European Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) for the first time on 21 June 2002. Based on careful consideration of all of the evidence presented by Member States through to 2001, the RCC concluded during its 15th meeting that the transmission of wild poliovirus had been interrupted in all 51 Member States of the Region at that time (the Region now has 53 Member States).
To be certified polio free the Region had to demonstrate: at least 3 years of zero cases of indigenous wild poliovirus; functional and quality surveillance for the disease; and capacity in each country to detect, report and respond to imported cases in a timely manner. To keep people in the entire Region protected from poliomyelitis and retain polio-free status each year, all of these factors must be sustained. In addition, type 2 polioviruses still stored in laboratories need to be kept safe or destroyed.
Since 2002, after being declared polio free, the European Region has experienced several importations of either wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus requiring comprehensive response efforts. Thanks to Member States’ efforts, the Region has been able to retain its status through to 2020.
The 36th RCC meeting will take place in October 2022 to review Member States’ reports for 2021, and thereby assess whether the Region can be certified polio free for the 20th consecutive year.