Why do we still have polio in Nigeria?

This question came up the other day, triggered by a story of a man divorcing his wife because she had the children immunized against polio. (story) Often we westerners can't understand why some things that we think should be so easy are not. Eradicating the last remnants of an infectious disease can be really hard. Especially in an economic and cultural setting that is rife with poverty and distrust.

Why doesn't everyone simply bring their children forward and get the drops? Looking back at the history of the interaction between the west and Africa there is plenty of basis for distrust. And recent events have furthered that distrust of western medicine in northern Nigeria

The 1996 drug trial conducted by Phizer in Kano, which is the subject of lawsuits that are still going on, didn't help matters. Whatever the events that took place during the trial, the fact that the drug given to these children, Trovan, is not approved for such use in the U.S. will ensure that this remains a sore issue no matter what the legal outcome. See story

In 2002, the polio immunization program in Kano was hindered by the opposition from local Muslim leaders. This following quote from the story may seem mindboggling to western ears but demonstrates the relutance of Nigerians to accept the "believe us, we have good science, we know better, it's good for you" argument.

"If they really love our children, why did they watch Bosnian children killed and 500,000 Iraqi children die of starvation and disease under an economic embargo?"

Vaccination programs have also been problematic in India. This comprehensive article in the N.Y. Times has more details concerning eradication efforts.

It is heartbreaking that any child has to suffer with polio. But there are so many factors working against total eradication that it may never be achieved. Maybe it's too bad the children have to depend on adults.

P.S. Lest we think we're so smart, the supposed link between measles vaccine and autism that was launched by this paper and later totally discredited has led to a decline in measles vaccinations. (Most recent study here.) Recently, measles cases have increased in the U.S.