What is the main objective of polio vaccination campaigns in eradication programs?

• A. To maximize vaccine production for all vaccines.
• B. To vaccinate only a subset of the population.
• C. To interrupt transmission of all wild poliovirus strains and eventually achieve global eradication.
• D. To focus solely on preventing paralysis in vaccinated individuals.

Answer: (C)

The main objective is to interrupt transmission of wild poliovirus strains worldwide, with the aim of global eradication. Eradication means stopping person-to-person spread so the virus cannot find susceptible hosts anywhere, not just protecting individuals who are vaccinated. Achieving high community immunity through broad vaccination reduces the number of people who can become infected and thus prevents outbreaks, even in those who aren’t vaccinated. So while vaccines do protect individuals from paralysis, the ultimate goal of eradication campaigns is to stop transmission entirely, eliminating the virus from the world.