The eradication of polio in Bhutan in the context of global polio eradication

Abstract

Bhutan has made tremendous health gains in public health, particularly in vaccine-preventable diseases. Polio was eradicated two years ahead of the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and only 12 years after the introduction of oral polio vaccination nationwide. The last case of clinical poliomyelitis in Bhutan was reported in 1986. Bhutan maintains a very high coverage of polio immunisation coupled with a strong health system and surveillance network. The success story in the elimination of polio provides examples for other successful public health programmes now and in the future.