The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) needs more funds and has pushed back by three years its target to officially wipe out all forms of the disease, officials said on Thursday.
The coalition now hopes to declare an end to both the wild virus and the vaccine-derived variant by 2027 and 2029, respectively, compared with a previous deadline of 2026 for both forms.
Wiping out the paralysis-causing viral disease has been a global health aim for decades and while mass vaccination campaigns have helped reduce cases significantly since 1988, a complete eradication of polio has proved more difficult. The first missed target was in 2000.
