Polio Eradication Initiative (1998–2001)

U.S. Agencies

Japan Agencies

Context

• Launched as a Common Agenda initiative in 1998, this was first a global initiative started in 1996.

Goals

• To eradicate polio.

Significance

The U.S. and Japan focused their cooperation on Africa. One example is joint funding that supported National Immunization Days in Zambia. The two countries worked together at a policy level as well as on the ground, coordinating U.S. Peace Corps and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. Polio now only occurs in less than five countries (thanks to initiatives like this and many others). Although not eradicated yet, by 2001 polio cases had been reduced by 99% since 1988.