Published: 12:00 AM, 27 October 2026
World Polio Day: The Horizon of Polio Vaccination in Bangladesh
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Throughout human history, the fight against various epidemics and infectious diseases has remained a constant endeavor in the protection of public health. Polio—a disease that causes paralysis—was once a profound curse and a source of terror for countless children across the globe. The tireless efforts of medical scientists and the continuous development of vaccines marked a revolutionary turning point in the eradication of this deadly affliction.
World Polio Day, observed on October 24, 2026, holds immense global significance. The theme for this year, "Together, We End Polio," embodies a worldwide commitment to achieving a completely polio-free world. Through the joint initiative of the World Health Organization and Rotary International, this momentous day is commemorated annually, fostering public awareness among billions of people.
Historical evidence of polio—including its symptoms and the resulting physical paralysis—can be found in ancient Egyptian carvings. From antiquity through the first half of the modern era, the severity of this disease left people worldwide feeling utterly helpless. In particular, the spread of polio as an epidemic across vast regions of Europe and the Americas instilled deep-seated fear among the public.
In Bangladesh, too, the prevalence of polio long posed a catastrophic threat to public health in both rural and urban areas. In the period following independence, malnutrition and inadequate medical services meant that thousands of innocent children fell victim to the cruel fate of paralysis every year. At that time, no structured or integrated healthcare framework existed in the country to address this social disaster and national health crisis.
According to statistics, prior to 1988, approximately one thousand children worldwide were struck by the poliovirus every single day, resulting in permanent paralysis. In Bangladesh, too, maintaining an accurate count of children affected by polio was difficult; however, the number of children suffering from paralysis in rural areas was rising at an alarming rate. To escape this dire situation, there was an urgent need for a coordinated and effective immunization strategy.
The statement that the polio vaccine opened new horizons for healthcare is now an established, enduring truth in the history of global medical science. In 1955, American medical scientist Dr. Jonas Salk developed the world’s first highly successful and effective inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). This remarkable innovation served as an unprecedented milestone in medical history, ushering in a new golden age.
Subsequently, in 1962, scientist Albert Sabin developed the oral polio vaccine (OPV)—an easily administered, highly accessible oral dose. This oral drop made polio prevention efforts dynamic and accessible to the general public on a global scale, ensuring a protected life for billions of children.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), established in 1988, gave a definitive shape to the fight against this disease. Through the collaborative efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Rotary International, the number of countries affected by polio began to decline dramatically, enabling countless children to live lives free from paralysis.
In Bangladesh, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was officially launched in 1979 as a major initial step toward creating a polio-free society. Despite limited resources and challenging infrastructure, the program aimed to bring healthcare—specifically immunization—to the doorsteps of children at the grassroots level. This laid the foundation for public health in the country.
Later, starting in 1995, the country began observing 'National Immunization Days' (NID) in a highly organized and intensive manner. A massive, nationwide campaign—involving public announcements, extensive poster displays, and broad social mobilization—was launched to administer the oral polio vaccine (the "blue drops") to every child under the age of five.
Millions of health workers, field staff, and religious and social leaders across Bangladesh participated in this monumental vaccination drive with great dedication. The vaccine was delivered to children in every corner of the country—reaching households in remote regions, riverine islands (chars), and inaccessible hilly areas. This collective national awakening served as the primary driving force behind the effort to combat polio.
As a result, the number of polio cases in Bangladesh declined rapidly, and the last case was detected on November 22, 2006. Since then, through rigorous, long-term surveillance and intensive laboratory testing, no further instances of the polio virus or new infections have been identified within the country.
Following the established criteria—given that no polio cases had been reported for several consecutive years—the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Bangladesh polio-free on March 27, 2014. This landmark achievement, shared with 11 other South Asian nations, stands as a proud, historic milestone and one of the greatest successes for Bangladesh’s healthcare system on the global stage.
Currently, the wild polio virus remains confined to only two neighboring countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to strict monitoring and the latest reports from the World Health Organization, approximately 99.9 percent of global polio infections have been eradicated. However, the risk persists until the virus is completely eliminated.
The polio vaccine works by entering the human body and permanently preparing the immune system to combat the poliovirus. It protects the nervous system from viral attacks, thereby preventing muscle paralysis or permanent disability. This scientific approach to immunization has brought about a radical transformation in global medical and preventive healthcare systems.
According to scientists, the widespread use of the polio vaccine has enabled billions of children worldwide to walk, play, and grow up in good health. Without this vaccine, a vast number of people today would have faced physical disabilities, leading to lives of extreme hardship. In the history of public health, this vaccine stands as a living blessing.
Bangladesh’s glorious success in eradicating polio is now widely acclaimed globally as a model for others to emulate. Despite the challenges of limited economic resources and a large population, this achievement was made possible through sound planning and the dedicated efforts of field-level workers. This success serves as a testament to the consistent competence of our national immunization program.
In today’s modern world, the impact of the polio vaccine extends beyond the prevention of a single disease; it has also contributed to a reduction in overall child mortality rates. It has strengthened public health infrastructure and provided renewed courage, inspiration, and scientific guidance for combating other preventable infectious diseases.
To maintain Bangladesh’s status as a polio-free nation, it is essential to continue our routine immunization program with the utmost efficiency. We must strictly ensure that every newborn in the country receives all the required doses of the polio vaccine on schedule. No child should be left out of this life-saving, government-provided immunization coverage.
Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain rigorous health screening and surveillance systems at all times—particularly along the country’s borders and at international points of entry. Since the polio virus still exists in neighboring countries, it is imperative to take the utmost precautionary measures to ensure that no infected individual entering from abroad can spread the virus within our nation.
The scientific laboratory testing—or environmental surveillance—of the country’s water and sanitation systems must be further strengthened and modernized. By promptly detecting any latent presence of the polio virus in waste or sewage, it is possible to prevent potential outbreaks. Maintaining this scientific surveillance is essential.
Above all, educational campaigns must be consistently sustained through mass media and social media to raise awareness among the general public. By keeping parents at all levels informed about the importance of the polio vaccine, Bangladesh will be fully capable of preserving its proud, polio-free status for future generations.
At this joyous moment, I feel inspired to express myself poetically: Our beloved Bangladesh is now free from polio; the smiles of our children have banished every trace of disability. The light of science has dispelled the darkness of this disease, and vaccine drops are bestowing life upon every child. We pledge to uphold this glorious, golden legacy—may a new, polio-free dawn emerge for the world. Let the light shine across our verdant land, ensuring a healthy future; we all bear the responsibility today to nurture a strong, healthy generation.
In this moment of pride, I must say that a polio-free Bangladesh stands as an unforgettable epic in our healthcare sector and serves as a concrete foundation for a safer world for future generations. Embracing the spirit of World Polio Day, we must safeguard this hard-won achievement at any cost. It is through the collective awareness of all that we can build a world that is entirely free from polio—a world that is healthy and beautiful.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an essayist
and an anti-narcotics campaigner.
