More member states to introduce inactivated polio vaccine as next step in global endgame strategy

September 9, 2014  17:45

WHO/Europe provides ongoing support for the introduction of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in Member States that currently use oral polio vaccine (OPV) only. As part of this effort a consultative meeting for 9 Member States was organized in Istanbul, Turkey, from 13 to 15 August 2014.

Together with experts from WHO headquarters and the Regional Office for Europe, UNICEF Supply Division and GAVI Secretariat, representatives of  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reviewed the IPV introduction process; and Member States were assisted in developing and refining detailed IPV introduction plans. For Member States eligible for GAVI support, guidance on applications for the mid-September deadline was also provided.

During the meeting participants also had the opportunity to discuss other key issues for IPV introduction, including communication and cold chain needs, WHO official site informs.

Background

Recognizing that ending polio is a programmatic emergency for global public health, the WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly in May 2013 adopted the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018.

Under this plan to achieve and sustain a polio-free world, the use of oral polio vaccine (OPV) must eventually be stopped worldwide, starting with OPV-containing type 2 poliovirus (OPV type 2), and at least one dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) must be introduced as a risk mitigation measure and to boost population immunity. WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization has therefore recommended that all Member States using oral polio vaccine (OPV) introduce at least 1 dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) into routine immunization schedules by the end of 2015.

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