The campaign's head of scientific information, Dr Lesley Walker, said the outlook for those developing the disease was improving all the time.

BBC: Cancer rates rising

When success is achieved, the world will have a workable, scalable model for global vaccination a blueprint for success that can be used time and again to reach children throughout the developing world and prevent disease on an unprecedented scale.

WSJ: Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg: Our Plan to Eradicate Polio

To me, that's sort of like saying that historically African-Americans are likely to have high rates of diabetes and hypertension, so instead of launching a program to save some from developing the disease, let's wait for a comprehensive plan where all can be saved at one time.

CNN: Commentary: Obama, Dems wrong to kill school vouchers