Polio Immunization: Moving Forward

Introduction

A Symposium titled "Polio Immunization: Moving Forward" will be held September 19-20, 2007, hosted by the Fogarty International Center and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health. Since 1988, the WHO Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has made great progress in reducing the incidence and prevalence of disease and infection. Several regions of the world have eliminated polio transmission. Yet, impediments to eradication exist; these include the biological nature of the virus, the reversion properties of the oral vaccine, surveillance, epidemiological features of the disease under different field situations, and community participation in the GPEI. Consideration of the components, strategies, and optimal deployment of live oral and inactivated vaccines will be the major theme of the Symposium. A range of scientific evidence will be discussed to identify knowledge gaps, define a research agenda, and inform public health policy.

The meeting will be held on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Due to limited space, registration may be limited. Information on registration, lodging, agenda and other details will be forthcoming. Please reserve the dates and share the information with others who have interest in polio vaccines and polio disease elimination.