Attempts to eradicate polio worldwide have suffered a major setback due to the corona pandemic. An estimated 80 million infants have not received a necessary vaccine in the past year, the World Health Organization reports on World Polio Day.
The WHO was on track to get rid of polio, also known as childhood paralysis, for good. Earlier this year, the health organization announced that it had been successful in eradicating the disease in Africa. This leaves only Pakistan and Afghanistan as countries where the disease occurs.
According to the WHO, 2020 due to corona is the most difficult year in the polio vaccination program, which started in 1988. In more than 20 years, 20 million volunteers vaccinated 3 billion children. Twice before it has been possible to completely eradicate a disease: smallpox and rinderpest.
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