By Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
Eleven years ago today, on March 27, 2014, the WHO South-East Asia Region was certified as free of all types of wild polioviruses - a major historic milestone in our continuous journey towards a healthier world.
Eradicating polio in our region was a daunting and uphill task. It required relentless effort, innovative strategies, and the commitment of countless parents, volunteers, health workers, communities, immunization program managers, stakeholders and partners across the Region. They worked tirelessly to ensure that every child received vaccinations to protect against this debilitating disease, and today we honor their contributions and celebrate the results of their hard work.
Our work is not over. The threat of poliovirus importation exists until polio is eradicated globally. A key role in sustaining our ‘polio-free’ status is played by surveillance and activities, which are indispensable for the detection and prompt interruption of poliovirus circulation. We must remain vigilant in surveillance and immunization and ensure adequate capacities and capabilities at the country level are maintained.
Today, I urge all our countries, communities and partners to continue supporting immunization programs and to continue strengthening our health systems. We have to build on our successes together and ensure that future generations are free from the threat of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
On the anniversary of this milestone achievement, we renew our pledge to combat all vaccine-preventable diseases and reaffirm our commitment to surveillance and vigilance to ensure we remain polio-free.
As we mark this landmark public health success, I am mindful that there is much misinformation and disinformation currently circulating about vaccines and immunization. I urge you all to help combat this by joining us in spreading the indisputable message that vaccines are safe, and immunization saves lives.
Thank you for being vaccine and immunization champions, and for your dedication and commitment to a polio-free future.