Ellyn Ogden has been leading the polio eradication campaign for USAID for over 20 years and shares some powerful stories that shed light on the challenges that have surfaced along the way. 

From addressing vaccine hesitancy in different cultural settings, to negotiating cease fires with rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and responding to the issue of OPV vaccines reverting back to virulence, the road to polio eradication has not been smooth.

In 1998, polio was actively circulating in 125 countries and in 2021, it is endemic in just two countries. This is a tribute to the achievements that can stem from effective worldwide collaboration, attentive public healthy policy and the motivation of key individuals eager to implement positive change. 

If you wish to donate and support the polio eradication efforts:

https://www.rotary.org/en/donate

https://www.unicef.org/immunization/polio