Strengthening the Partnership Between Routine Immunization and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to Achieve Eradication and Assure Sustainability

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 210; no. suppl 1; pp. S498 - S503
• Main Authors: Abdelwahab, Jalaa, Dietz, Vance, Eggers, Rudolf, Maher, Christopher, Olaniran, Marianne, Sandhu, Hardeep, Vandelaer, Jos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.11.2014
• Subjects: BEYOND POLIO ERADICATION: IMMUNIZATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS; Disease eradication; Disease Eradication - methods; Disease Eradication - organization & administration; Global Health; Health surveillance; Humans; Immunity; Immunization - methods; Immunization - statistics & numerical data; Immunization programs; Infectious diseases; Japanese encephalitis vaccines; Oral poliovirus vaccines; Poliomyelitis; Poliomyelitis - prevention & control; Poliovirus; Poliovirus vaccines; Poliovirus Vaccines - administration & dosage; strengthening routine immunization; polio eradication
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu041

Since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, the number of polio endemic countries has declined from 125 to 3 in 2013. Despite this remarkable achievement, ongoing circulation of wild poliovirus in polio-endemic countries and the increase in the number of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus cases, especially those caused by type 2, is a cause for concern. The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 (PEESP) was developed and includes 4 objectives: detection and interruption of poliovirus transmission, containment and certification, legacy planning, and a renewed emphasis on strengthening routine immunization (RI) programs. This is critical for the phased withdrawal of oral poliovirus vaccine, beginning with the type 2 component, and the introduction of a single dose of inactivated polio vaccine into RI programs. This objective has inspired renewed consideration of how the GPEI and RI programs can mutually benefit one another, how the infrastructure from the GPEI can be used to strengthen RI, and how a strengthened RI can facilitate polio eradication. The PEESP is the first GPEI strategic plan that places strong and clear emphasis on the necessity of improving RI to achieve and sustain global polio eradication.