Transition today
As the world gets closer to the goal of polio eradication, WHO, along with partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and other stakeholders, is actively working towards the transition of the assets and capacities of the polio programme to continue supporting broader health goals.
The Polio Transition Strategic Framework guides polio transition activities, with a focus on priority countries where the majority of polio eradication infrastructure and assets are located. Its Global Vision sets the overall strategic direction and is the umbrella for the strategic framework. The regional strategic plans and country action plans define implementation strategies tailored to specific regional and country contexts. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework ensures progress tracking, to enhance accountability and enable timely course corrections. The Framework builds on the work initiated under the Strategic Action Plan on Polio Transition (2018 – 2023).
Polio transition will ensure that essential functions are maintained in countries as they transition out of GPEI support. It is also an opportunity to integrate polio assets and capacities to strengthen health systems to help achieve national and global health targets, such as the sustainable development goals.
Polio transition has evolved over time to adapt to changes in the global health landscape. A tailored approach is being taken for different regional and country contexts, which is responsive to changes in polio epidemiology and events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Polio transition is aligned with the broader health agenda, including new strategies for essential immunization, disease surveillance and emergency detection and response.
Progress on polio transition is monitored by the Polio Transition Independent Monitoring Board. The reports of the Board can be accessed here.