In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate polio globally by the year 2000.<sup>48   World Health Assembly: Global eradication of poliomyelitis by the year 2000 Geneva: World Health Organization (1988).  resolution 41.28.

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The global resolution was influenced largely by progress reported from the regional polio elimination initiative in the Americas. Begun in 1985, the initiative eliminated indigenous poliovirus by 1991, and polio-free status was certified by an independent commission in 1994.<sup>5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Certification of polio eradication—the Americas, 1994 MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1994 ;  43 : 720-722

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Responding to the eradication mandate from the global community, a coalition that included the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other bilateral and multilateral agencies committed to make polio eradication a reality.

With eradication approaching, issues potentially affecting when and how vaccination against poliovirus can be stopped become increasingly important both from a public health viewpoint and from a strategic industrial perspective, because poliovirus vaccine manufacturers need sufficient lead time to respond to vaccination policy changes. This article examines progress achieved toward polio eradication, discusses remaining challenges to conclude this task successfully, and highlights issues to be addressed as part of the “end game” of polio eradication.