Polio Virus Resurfaces Globally, Prompting Urgent Discussion on Vaccination Rates
A disease once on the brink of eradication – polio – is experiencing a concerning resurgence, triggering alarms among global health experts. Recent detections of the poliovirus in multiple countries, including cases linked to vaccine-derived strains, underscore the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage. Tonight, Ideas in the night. Diaspora. Beyond borders will delve into this evolving threat and the lessons learned from past eradication efforts.
The re-emergence of polio isn’t merely a ancient footnote; itS a stark reminder that infectious diseases, even those seemingly conquered, can swiftly return when immunization rates decline. This poses a direct threat to unvaccinated children worldwide and highlights the fragility of public health gains. The program will explore why this is happening now, the specific risks associated with vaccine-derived poliovirus, and the strategies needed to prevent further spread.
The discussion will feature Dr. Evelina Moraru, professor emeritus at UMF “Grigore T. POPA Iași” and a pediatrician specializing in allergology-immunology, gastroenterology, hepatology, and pediatric pneumology; Prof.univ. Dr. Doina Azoicăi, doctor of medical sciences, head of the Epidemiology Discipline at UMF Iași, and President of the Epidemiology Commission of the Ministry of Health (2014-2025) and the Romanian Society of Epidemiology (2018-2022), who also initiated the “Certificate in Vaccinology” training program at UMF Iași; and Dr. Cristian Apetrei, PhD in microbiology and Professor of Infectious diseases and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Doctoral School of Public Health, USA, a lecturer in the aforementioned training program.
Ideas in the night. Diaspora. Beyond borders airs on Radio Romania Cultural and at www.radioromaniacultural.ro from 21:10 to 22:00, directed by Corina Negrea.
