Evaluation of USAID grant to PolioPlus/India

Mid-term evaluation covers the period 1992-6/94. Significant progress has been made toward eradicating polio in India. Polio incidence has decreased from an estimated 250,000 cases in 1981 to 15,000 in 1993, a reduction of 94%. However, India still reports half the world's cases of polio, and is the major exporter of the disease. India has an ongoing, sustainable vaccine delivery system achieving, in most states, OPV3 coverage rates of 80%. An estimated 20,000 Indian Rotarians and 1,000 of 16,000 Rotary Clubs participated in polio activities, primarily supporting GOI/UIP activities in urban slums. India is in the process of program transition from a disease coverage to a disease reduction program, but surveillance is weak and laboratory backup is limited. In the Fall of 1994, New Delhi State will carry out "vaccination days," an important programmatic step in the transition from a vaccination program to a disease eradication program. A number of recommendations are provided. (Author abstract, modified)