Current Situation

• Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years of age.

• About one in every 200 infections results in irreversible paralysis, and among those paralyzed, 5–10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

• Cases caused by wild poliovirus (WPV) have decreased by 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350,000 cases across more than 125 countries to only two countries where the disease remains endemic.

• The WHO European Region was declared polio-free in 2002 and has sustained this status since then.

• However, as long as even one child remains infected, there is a risk of polio spreading to other countries.

In Iceland

Although polio is now extremely rare in Iceland, we bear responsibility for maintaining high vaccination coverage, robust surveillance, and strong public health preparedness to ensure eradication is achieved not only nationally, but globally.

It is essential to start vaccinating early as the disease is most dangerous for the youngest children. In Iceland, children are vaccinated during the first year of life and revaccinated at the age of 14. The vaccine does not protect for more than ten years. Therefore it is recommended that adults get vaccinated against polio every ten years if they travel to countries with a risk of infection (in Icelandic).

Recommended Actions

• Encourage parents and guardians to ensure that children follow the national vaccination schedule.

• Policymakers and the healthcare service must ensure that accessible vaccination and monitoring are in place.

• Continue to strengthen international collaboration in the effort to eradicate polio.

• Maintain awareness about the risks of polio and the importance of prevention.

Conclusion

We stand at a turning point, polio is close to eradication, but the work is not finished until the disease is gone everywhere. In Iceland, we will continue to do our part to ensure that every child has a safe and healthy future.

See more about polio at The Directorate of Health and WHO

The Chief Epidemiologist