Schools and community workers support prevention

The date marks onset of illness in India’s final known wild poliovirus infection.

Immunization workers continued surveillance and vaccination after the last detected case.

India had to document sustained interruption of wild polio transmission before regional certification.

A ceremony at Kanyinya marked the start of vaccination for school-age girls.

The opening campaign offered protection against infection associated with cervical cancer.

The launch began a programme whose success required several doses and follow-up.

WHO published a regional director’s message for the annual observance held on 31 August.

The 2011 observance connected protection of medicinal plants to African traditional medicine.

The WHO message relates traditional health practices to conservation and use of natural resources.

The 2011 observance looked back at an African traditional medicine action plan and continued policy questions.