World Polio Day is an annual observance celebrated on 24th October. The day is observed with an aim of raising awareness of the importance of polio vaccine.
It is also celebrated with an intention of celebrating parents, professionals and volunteers whom through their contributions make polio eradication possible.
Polio or poliomyelitis, is a crippling and deadly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus that attacks the brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis. Its symptoms include; fever, headache, vomiting, muscle weakness and stiffness at the neck, back, arms and legs.
World Polio Day was established in 1985 by Rotary International with the World Health Assembly committing to suppress this life-threatening disease in 1988.
Currently, 5 out of 6 WHO regions are certified free of wild polio, including the WHO European Region which was declared polio free in 2002. The first event was held in the early 2000s.
The date, October 24th was chosen in order to commemorate the birthdate of Jonas Salk who led the first team to develop a vaccination against polio. He developed the inactivated poliovirus vaccine, which first came into use in 1955.
With different themes being celebrated every year, the 2022 theme is “A healthier future for mothers and children.” The theme encourages the world to acknowledge the progress made in curbing polio in children and the effort to provide a healthier future for mothers. The goal is to provide mothers with a positive pregnancy experience to help them with the better growth of their children.
People from dissimilar regions celebrate this day in different ways. Some hold polio walks, others learn more about polio and polio vaccination and some people wear burgundy ribbons to spread awareness for post-polio syndrome while others watch documentaries and screenings on polio vaccination.
Due to the growing number of internet users, people are encouraged to spread awareness through their social media platforms.
WHO and the Global Polio eradication call on countries and stakeholders to stay vigilant in the fight against this disease.
They also urge those with unvaccinated children or who have missed their children’s vaccination schedules to take the vaccination to avoid contracting the deadly disease.
BY STACY EDITH.