We should not dismiss the possibility of eradicating Covid-19

Comparisons with smallpox and polio

Bibliographic Data

ID21879585
AuthorsNick Wilson (0000-0001-5250-9894, University of Otago, corresponding author), Osman Mansoor (0000-0002-0482-6614), Osman D Mansoor (Gisborne, New Zealand), Matt Boyd (0000-0002-1387-5047, Adapt Research Ltd, Reefton, New Zealand), Amanda Kvalsvig (0000-0002-4184-001X, University of Otago), Michael G Baker (0000-0002-1865-1536, University of Otago)
Year2021
Volume6
Issue8
Pagese006810
Publication date2021-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006810
PMID34373261
OpenAlexW3192463757
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited22

box Elimination and eradication of disease are among the ultimate goals of public health1 (for definitions see box 1). Vaccination has globally eradicated smallpox, rinderpest (a cattle disease that caused famines2) and two of the three serotypes of poliovirus.3 Three other vaccine-preventable diseases are eradicable globally with current technology,4 with measles the leading contender and with MMR vaccination potentially eradicating mumps and rubella at the same time. Some other diseases are close to being eradicated but without use of vaccines such as with the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme.5 Similarly, China has recently eliminated malaria with a range of non-vaccination tools, to become the 40th country to be certified malaria-free.6 Box 1 ### Definitions of key disease control terms from the Dahlem Workshop19

Disease · Disease Eradication · Environmental health · Malaria · Measles · Pandemic · Poliomyelitis · Poliomyelitis eradication · Poliovirus · Public health · Rinderpest · Rubella · Smallpox · Vaccination · Virus · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · Medicine · Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research · Zoonotic diseases and public health · Immunology · Virology

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