World Polio Day in 2026 will be observed on Saturday, October 24, marking the birthday of Dr. Jonas Salk and the global commitment to eradicate poliovirus
World Polio Day is an annual international observance that highlights the global efforts to end poliomyelitis (polio) worldwide. Polio is a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, which the World Health Assembly committed to eradicating in 1988. The WHO European Region was declared polio-free in 2002 and has sustained this status every year since then.
Every year on 24 October, we observe World Polio Day to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination to protect every child from this devastating disease, and to celebrate the many parents, professionals and volunteers whose contributions make polio eradication achievable.
To ensure a polio-free future for everyone, efforts must continue to maintain high immunization coverage, implement high-quality surveillance to detect any presence of the virus, and prepare to respond in the event of an outbreak.
World Polio Day is not a public holiday, but an annual international observance dedicated to raising awareness about the fight to eradicate polio, honoring the progress made through vaccination, and reminding the world that eradication is not yet complete.
History and Significance
Date origin: October 24 is the birthday of Dr. Jonas Salk, who led the team that developed the first successful inactivated polio vaccine in 1955
Global effort: The day was established by Rotary International in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which began in 1988 with the WHO, UNICEF, the U.S. CDC, and later the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Impact: Since 1988, wild poliovirus cases have fallen by over 99%, but the virus remains endemic in a few regions, and vaccine-derived outbreaks still occur. Polio was thought to be eliminated domestically in the U.S in 1977. Isolated cases still occur, most recently a case in New York was linked to low local vaccination coverage. U.S. kindergarten polio vaccination coverage for 2024–25 is 92.5%, below the 95% threshold needed for reliable community protection. In 2024, there were 12 polio cases worldwide.
Lower coverage increases vulnerability to imported poliovirus.
Purpose: The day highlights the need to maintain high immunization coverage, surveillance, and outbreak preparedness to prevent polio’s return.