POLIO ERADICATION
AND POLIO TRANSITION

•

Wild poliovirus decreased to just 175 reported cases in 2019, however, cases increased in Afghanistan and Pakistan – and an unexpected number of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks occurred, largely in Africa but also in parts of the Middle East and South-East Asia.

Failure to eradicate polio from its last remaining strongholds could result in as many as 200,000 new cases every year, within 10 years, all over the world.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

To address the evolving cVDPV2 emergency, in 2019 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative developed a new strategy to more effectively address such outbreaks, including through the accelerated development, approval and roll-out of a novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

There have been some encouraging developments. Africa has not reported a single case of wild poliovirus for more than three years, meaning the African Region is now eligible for certification in 2020. In addition, type 3 wild poliovirus has officially been certified as globally eradicated, with the last case detected in 2012.

Significant momentum has been gained during the biennium in increasing the awareness of governments in countries supported by Global Polio Eradication Initiative of the urgency of addressing polio transition issues. In some countries, polio transition plans are being operationalized and alternative sources of funding are being identified to replace resources from the Initiative.

US$ 2.6 billion was pledged to the global eradication programme during the Last Mile Forum held in Abu Dhabi. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, officially joined the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as a core partner in 2020.

The need for sustainable transition strategies have been embedded into the immunization vision and strategy for the next decade on the theme “Immunization Agenda 2030”, which will be operationalized through regional and country plans.