GPEI Extends Polio Eradication Timeline to 2029 Amid Global Conflicts
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has postponed its target for eradicating polio to 2029 due to ongoing conflicts affecting vaccination efforts in regions like Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen. With a resurgence of poliovirus in previously eradicated areas, the GPEI is calling for increased financial support to address a $2.4 billion shortfall in its budget. The organization emphasizes the need for collaboration and innovative strategies to overcome logistical challenges and ensure that every child receives life-saving vaccines.
Lessons from Smallpox Eradication for Health Threats in 2024
The improbable victory over smallpox holds lessons for health threats in 2024. Physician and podcaster Céline Gounder traveled to Bangladesh in 2022 to track down South Asian public health workers who were part of the battle to end smallpox nearly 50 years ago. The podcast captures the remarkable achievements and challenges faced by these public health workers in South Asia, shedding light on a history that was in danger of being lost. By documenting the stories of these unsung heroes, Gounder’s podcast aims to answer the question of how smallpox was defeated and what lessons that victory holds for addressing current health threats.
Health Leaders Gather at WHO to Reaffirm Commitment to Eradicating Polio
Health leaders and Ministers of Health at the WHO Executive Board (EB) have gathered at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to reaffirm their commitment to eradicating polio and building resilient health systems. The focus is on…