Polio is a highly infectious disease. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Resistance to the virus in the body can be stimulated by immunisation and the disease loses its power. When I studied medicine in the UK in the 1960’s there were no new cases being seen because of the immunisation campaign which had taken place in developed countries. However, working in Nigeria, Uganda and Ruanda in the 1960’s and 1970’s, I often saw affected children suffering as they still are in some parts of the world today. In the 1970s routine immunization with oral polio vaccine was encouraged world-wide with excellent results. Widespread acceptance of immunisation in rural as well as urban populations could lead to its eradication once and for all. Dispelling prejudice and ignorance about the vaccine will be vital to achieve that goal. Baxterbear step forward, please!