News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

In New York, only 86% of children aged six months to five years have received three doses of vaccine

Polio detected in New York City sewage

Polio has been detected in New York City's sewage, suggesting the virus that causes the disease is likely circulating there, health authorities said, calling on residents to make sure they are vaccinated.

US • 13 Aug 22

In a bid to get ahead of a potential outbreak, a rapid vaccination programme is being launched

Polio vaccine to be offered to 1m children in London

Almost a million children in London are to be offered a polio vaccine to try to prevent the spread of the virus.

UK • 10 Aug 22

Virus believed to have evolved into what is known as 'vaccine-derived poliovirus'

UK health agency says poliovirus found in London sewage

The poliovirus has been detected in several sewage samples in the British capital, the first sign since the 1980s that the virus could be spreading in the country.

UK • 22 Jun 22

A child reacts as he receives an injection during a nationwide vaccination campaign in Uganda

'Historic day' as Africa is declared free of polio

The World Health Organization has declared that Africa is free of the virus that causes polio, a landmark in a decades-long campaign to eradicate the notorious disease around the world.

World • 25 Aug 20

It is estimated there are 7,000 polio survivors living with the disease in Ireland

Rehab charity to meet with polio survivors

The Rehab charity group has said it will meet with polio survivors who have said they feel the charity has abandoned them.

Ireland • 13 Feb 18

Taliban militants claim that the polio vaccination drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims

Polio immunisation team murdered in Pakistan

Four members of a polio immunisation team have been found murdered after being kidnapped in southwest Pakistan.

News • 18 Feb 15

Efforts to stamp out polio in Pakistan have been hampered by attacks on immunisation teams

Polio cases at 14-year high in Pakistan

The number of polio cases recorded in Pakistan has leapt to its highest level in 14 years after attacks on immunisation teams led to a surge in incidences of the disease.

News • 04 Oct 14

A child gets the polio vaccine in Afghanistan after a young girl was diagnosed with the disease in Kabul earlier this month

Polio-like syndrome discovered in California

A rare, polio-like syndrome that has no known cure has emerged in a small number of children in California, US researchers have said.

News • 24 Feb 14

An injured Syrian youth cries as he is carried on a stretcher following an airstrike in the Maadi area of Aleppo

Aleppo hospitals overwhelmed after air attacks

More than 100 people have been killed and dozens more wounded by "barrel bombs" dropped by Syrian army helicopters on Aleppo, Medecins Sans Frontieres has said.

News • 17 Dec 13