Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication–eastern Mediterranean region, 1988-1994

In 1988, the Regional Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a resolution to eradicate poliomyelitis from the region by the year 2000 (1). Since this goal was established, substantial progress toward polio eradication has been achieved using three major strategies: 1) achieving and maintaining high coverage with at least three doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV3); 2) implementing supplementary vaccination activities, including National Immunization Days (NIDs), to rapidly interrupt poliovirus transmission; and 3) developing sensitive systems of epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance, including use of the standard WHO case definition (2). This report summarizes progress toward polio eradication in EMR countries from 1988 through 1994 and is based on reports received through August 1, 1995.