Polio eradication in Kenya [editorial]

Building on the success of the small pox eradication experience the World Health Assembly of the WHO set the end of 2000 or immediately thereafter as the target date for polio eradication. In 1989 countries of the WHO African region joined the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) by committing themselves to eradicating Polio in make Africa. In 1996 Kenya embarked on the PEI campaign with the theme “kick polio out of Kenya” by adopting the triple-pronged strategy. This strategy involves 1) further increasing the routine immunization coverage; 2) conducting supplementary childhood immunization commonly known as National Immunization Days (NIDs); and 3) establishing a sensitive epidemiological and laboratory surveillance system for all acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in children younger than 15 years. Over the past 4 years Kenya has successfully organized and conducted NIDs providing oral polio vaccine for all children under 5 years of age. Between 80% and 82% of all under-fives had been immunized each year. Moreover with strengthened and improved AFP surveillance the AFP detection rate increased from 0.07/100000 under 15 years in 1997 to 1.64/100000 in 1999. Given that Kenyas efforts for polio eradication are on track strengthened routine immunization will enhance further the foundations of PEI.