The UK is to double its current contribution to polio eradication over the next two years, said Prime Minister, David Cameron.
He also called on other donors to back the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as he announced the UK’s commitment, which will see an additional 45 million children fully vaccinated against the disease. In 20 years, polio cases have been reduced by 99% and the disease is now close to being only the second in history – after smallpox – to be wiped out. In 2010, India and Nigeria cut cases by 95% each. However, polio still exists in more than a dozen countries.
