Countries grappling with conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises are facing a severe setback in providing routine childhood immunizations, leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases like polio.

In a new report released on World Polio Day, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that polio cases in fragile and conflict-affected countries have more than doubled over the last five years. As of 2023, 85% of children affected by polio reside in these regions, underscoring the mounting crisis.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, “In conflict, children face more than bombs and bullets; they are at risk of deadly diseases that should no longer exist.”

The agency’s analysis reveals that global vaccination coverage has fallen from 75% to 70%, well below the 95% needed to maintain community immunity and prevent the spread of polio. Russell added that collapsing healthcare systems, destroyed sanitation infrastructure, and displaced families have created fertile ground for the resurgence of polio in many countries.

Conflict Zones at the Epicenter

The resurgence of polio is particularly severe in conflict-affected nations. Of the 21 countries currently combating the disease, 15 are embroiled in conflict or marked by fragile governance. These include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.

Gaza, once free from polio for 25 years, has recently witnessed the virus’s return. In response, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an emergency polio vaccination campaign in September, reaching nearly 600,000 children under 10 years old.

To effectively curb further outbreaks, UNICEF’s report emphasizes the importance of polio vaccination campaigns in these vulnerable regions. “Humanitarian pauses,” which allow healthcare workers safe access to communities in conflict zones, are critical for carrying out these immunization drives. Without them, access to children at risk remains limited, and vaccination efforts falter.

UNICEF, which delivers over one billion doses of polio vaccines annually, is calling for urgent international action. Governments and international partners must prioritize efforts to halt the disease’s spread before it worsens.

Urgency in the Final Push

As polio threatens not only countries in conflict but also neighboring regions, the global stakes are higher than ever. “The spread of polio not only puts children in affected countries at immediate risk but also poses a growing threat to neighboring countries,” said Russell. The potential for the virus to cross borders emphasizes the need for a united international response.

Despite these challenges, Russell remains hopeful that polio can still be eradicated. “The final push is the hardest, but now is the time to act. We cannot rest until every child, in every corner of the world, is safe from polio once and for all.”

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus, which primarily affects children under five but can affect individuals of any age. The virus spreads through contaminated food and water or direct contact with an infected person. Once inside the body, the virus multiplies in the intestines, from where it can invade the nervous system, potentially causing paralysis.

While most polio cases result in mild symptoms like fever, fatigue, and stiffness, a small percentage of cases are much more severe. In these instances, the virus attacks the spinal cord and brain, resulting in permanent paralysis or even death. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through immunization.

UNICEF, alongside organizations like WHO, continues to push for increased vaccination efforts. Their work is critical to ensuring that the world remains on track toward the complete eradication of this once-devastating disease. Without high coverage, the risk of outbreaks remains a clear and present danger in many parts of the world.