Can We Really Wipe Out Polio?

The world is still aiming to get rid of polio, even though there's less money to do it. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has seen a big cut in funding. In 2026, their budget will be 30% smaller, and they're missing $1. 7 billion until 2029. This is mostly because some big donors, like the U. S. and other wealthy countries, are giving less aid. To deal with this, the GPEI is changing its plan. They will focus more on watching for polio in high-risk areas and giving vaccines there. They will also work with other health programs, like measles campaigns. Plus, they might use less vaccine in each dose to make supplies last longer. This is called fractional dosing, and it still protects kids from getting sick. But some work will have to stop. They will do less in places where polio is less of a threat, unless there's an outbreak. They will also try to be more efficient with their resources. Getting rid of polio has been a long goal. Since 1988, there's been a lot of progress with mass vaccinations. But it's been hard, and the first deadline to end polio was missed in 2000. Some experts wonder if it's even possible to wipe out polio completely. The virus often doesn't cause symptoms, so it's hard to track. But others say it's foolish to give up now, especially with challenges like conflict and people not wanting to get vaccinated. In 2025, there have been 36 cases of wild polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the only two countries where it's still common. There have also been 149 cases of a vaccine-derived form of polio in countries like Nigeria. But both numbers have gone down since 2024. Vaccine-derived polio can happen when kids get a vaccine with a weakened live virus. They are protected, but the virus can spread and change in unvaccinated groups. The GPEI says eradication is still possible and doable. They need everyone to stay committed and make sure no child is left behind.