Eradicating polio is finally within reach. Why is the UK taking its foot off the pedal? | Anne Wafula Strike

Instead of cutting the aid budget – including 95% from the plan to stamp out the disease – Britain should take a global leadDespite the Covid pandemic, there have been just two recorded cases of wild polio in 2021 – in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two remaining hiding places for the disease. But eradication is not guaranteed. Polio is virulent and spreads quickly. Even one case poses a threat to unvaccinated children everywhere, which is why a new strategylaunched last week by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) outlines a plan to utilise this small window of opportunity for the world to end polio for good.A 99.9% fall in polio cases globally in recent decades is thanks in large part to the GPEI and its supporters. The British government ’s recent announcement that it willslash its contributions to the GPEI by more than 95% has been a body blow. The funding cut amounts to almost a quarter of the annual World Health Organization polio eradication budget.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Polio Coronavirus Vaccines and immunisation Infectious diseases Science World news Afghanistan Pakistan Aid Global development UK news South and Central Asia Health Source Type: news