Ensuring a uniformly high routine OPV coverage and the high quality immunization campaigns, and sustaining the attainable achievements are the major challenges.
Experience in polio eradication demonstrates that outbreaks can be quickly contained with high quality immunization campaigns which reach every child under five years old.
[ 6, 7] Stopping poliovirus transmission has been pursued through a combination of routine immunization and supplementary immunization campaigns which are guided by high quality surveillance.
High, sustained levels of routine OPV coverage in every district, supplemented by high-quality supplementary immunization activities, will help prevent future outbreaks.
"To achieve long-lasting results, high-quality immunization campaigns must be complemented by enhanced routine immunization and strong disease surveillance," said the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in DR Congo, Dr. Matthieu Kamwe".
All countries in the West Africa sub-region will again conduct two full campaigns in February and March , 2011 but high-quality immunization campaigns must be complemented by enhanced routine immunization and strong disease surveillance.
"To achieve long-lasting results, high-quality immunization campaigns must be complemented by enhanced routine immunization and strong disease surveillance," said Dr. Matthieu Kamwa, head of the World Health Organization in DR Congo.
Experience shows that as long as high-quality immunization campaigns are implemented rapidly, such outbreaks can be stopped relatively quickly.
Both evaluated systems allow high-quality immunization data to be collected, analyzed, and applied in a rapid fashion.
With strong international support and high-quality immunization campaigns, UNICEF and the global polio eradication partners are optimistic that polio can be stopped in Yemen soon.
