History of the Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) Program
Since the inception of the STOP program in the fall of 1998, STOP participants have worked in 60 countries. In the first years of the program, STOP participants worked primarily to strengthen acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, support national immunization days, and conduct polio case investigation and follow-up. Though the focus remains on polio activities, the role for some participants has expanded to include supporting measles mortality reduction, strengthening routine immunization activities, and supporting the Integrated Disease Surveillance program. Additionally, we support these programs through communication management and data management.
The first STOP team had 25 participants all of whom were U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff members. Over time there has been increasing involvement by citizens from the international community. The STOP program is now a truly global effort with participants reflecting the international commitment to polio eradication. International bridges are being built and global connections made among public health professionals through the STOP program. These connections will continue long after the polio virus is gone.
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