Transition Planning For After Polio Eradication
Open Access
- 1 July 2017
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 216 (suppl_1), S287-S292
- https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jix026
Abstract
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has been in operation since 1988, now spends $1 billion annually, and operates through thousands of staff and millions of volunteers in dozens of countries. It has brought polio to the brink of eradication. After eradication is achieved, what should happen to the substantial assets, capabilities, and lessons of the GPEI? To answer this question, an extensive process of transition planning is underway. There is an absolute need to maintain and mainstream some of the functions, to keep the world polio-free. There is also considerable risk—and, if seized, substantial opportunity—for other health programs and priorities. And critical lessons have been learned that can be used to address other health priorities. Planning has started in the 16 countries where GPEI’s footprint is the greatest and in the program’s 5 core agencies. Even though poliovirus transmission has not yet been stopped globally, this planning process is gaining momentum, and some plans are taking early shape. This is a complex area of work—with difficult technical, financial, and political elements. There is no significant precedent. There is forward motion and a willingness on many sides to understand and address the risks and to explore the opportunities. Very substantial investments have been made, over 30 years, to eradicate a human pathogen from the world for the second time ever. Transition planning represents a serious intent to responsibly bring the world’s largest global health effort to a close and to protect and build upon the investment in this effort, where appropriate, to benefit other national and global priorities. Further detailed technical work is now needed, supported by broad and engaged debate, for this undertaking to achieve its full potential.Keywords
This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
- Approaches to Vaccination Among Populations in Areas of ConflictThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2017
- Transitioning Lessons Learned and Assets of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to Global and Regional Measles and Rubella EliminationThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2017
- Mapping for Health in Cameroon: Polio Legacy and BeyondThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2017
- Using Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance as a Platform for Vaccine-Preventable Disease SurveillanceThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2017
- Using the Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) Program to Develop a South Sudan Expanded Program on Immunization WorkforceThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2017
- Use of Dedicated Mobile Teams and Polio Volunteer Community Mobilizers to Increase Access to Zero-Dose Oral Poliovirus Vaccine and Routine Childhood Immunizations in Settlements at High Risk for Polio Transmission in Northern NigeriaThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2017
- Adapting Nepal’s polio eradication programmeBulletin of the World Health Organization, 2016
- Cessation of use of trivalent oral polio vaccine and introduction of inactivated poliovirus vaccine worldwide, 2016.2016
- The Global Polio Eradication Initiative: Progress, Lessons Learned, And Polio Legacy Transition PlanningHealth Affairs, 2016
- Oversight Role of the Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication InitiativeThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2014