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January 08, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Indonesia Declared Polio-Free"

Xinhua News Agency (202.84.17.11/en/main.htm) (01/08/03)

Indonesia reports that it is now polio-free and will receive official polio-free status from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005, according to Indonesian Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi.  Polio immunization campaigns vaccinated over 20 million children under the age of five last year, which beat the target set earlier.  However, Suyudi--noting that polio could break out in the country again at any time--urged continued immunizations to ensure protection against the deadly disease. Last year's polio campaign cost $13 million and was sponsored by the Indonesian government, the WHO, UNICEF, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Helen Keller International, and Rotary International.

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