For Immediate Release
October 14, 2004

Massive Public Health Initiative Fights Polio

The largest public health initiative in history is under way to eradicate polio in West and Central Africa. Some 80 million children will receive vaccinations in this door-to-door campaign that spans 23 nations, employs nearly 1 million volunteers, and relies on more than 100 million doses of vaccine. The crippling disease is on the rise in Africa after an outbreak in 10 countries following Nigeria's suspension of its polio campaign in 2003. Nigeria has ended its vaccine boycott and is cooperating with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF, Rotary International, and other African nations to halt the rising epidemic.

Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative