POLIO NEWS - January 2023
 download PDF POLIO NEWS January 2023 Dear polio eradication supporter, As we look optimistically into the new year, we recognize the opportunity the world has to finally end polio everywhere. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI) Strategy marks 2023 as the year when all remaining poliovirus transmission is to be interrupted, and success relies on ensuring that all children receive life-saving vaccines, no matter where they are in the world. This means reaching zero-dose children, i.e. those children who are either un- or under-immunized, in the most consequential geographies for polio transmission. To start the year on the right foot, WHO has kicked off its 2023 Immunization Challenge with a New Year’s Resolution campaign, and all are encouraged to join in and encouraging all to join inshare how they plan to meet the year’s immunization goals. Through committed collaborative efforts, ending polio everywhere will be possible. The WHO Executive Board is scheduled to take place on 30 January to 7 February 2023, where Member States will discuss a number of global public health issues, including polio eradication. The Secretariat has prepared two reports which will inform Member State discussions, namely on status of polio eradication, and on polio transition planning and post-certification. Reflecting on India's 12-year polio-free anniversary A polio-free India once seemed impossible—until a dedicated collective finally stopped transmission for good. On the 12th anniversary of the country’s final case, Dr Hamid Jafari (Director of Polio, WHO EMRO) reflects on the lessons learned through the country’s push for eradication, attributing India’s success to established community trust, real-time data to guide action and implementation, and most importantly, unity among country leadership as they worked towards a shared vision of a healthier future for their children. Today, the lessons learned in India are at the forefront of efforts to end polio for good in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the final two countries fighting endemic wild polio Prioritizing consequential geographies in 2023 To end to all polio transmission in 2023, the polio program is honing in on the most consequential geographies—areas with complex humanitarian situations, high rates of zero-dose children, and persistent polio outbreaks with a high risk of spreading across borders. If we prioritize our focus and resources in these geographies, success will follow. POLIO IN NUMBERSWild Poliovirus in 2022 (2021)* Global Total: 30 (6) Circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus in 2022 (2021)* Global Total: 656 (698) *Data as of 24 January 2023. Numbers in brackets represent data for full year 2021. Breakdown by country Polio this week POLIO IN THE NEWS
The New Humanitarian: Outbreaks to watch: Vaccine-preventable diseases surge post-pandemic (Catherine Davison, 25 January 2023) The Associated Press: Pakistan launches anti-polio drive targeting 44M children (15 January 2023) Cell: Polio eradication: Addressing the hurdles on the last mile (Ananda Bandyopadhyay, Zulfiqar Bhutta et al., 5 January 2023) SciShow: Why haven’t we eradicated polio? (Hank Green, 5 January 2023) Dawn: Pakistan’s fight against polio continues, two drops at a time (Tooba Masood, 21 December 2022) The Hill: To strengthen health security, finish the job on polio eradication (Jennifer Jones, Elizabeth M. Cousens, 16 December 2022)
DONOR UPDATESWHO would like to thank Spain for a €150 000 contribution to global polio eradication efforts. This signifies Spain’s strong commitment to wipe off polio forever. UNICEF would like to thank the Government of Canada for its contribution of Can$ 5 million, which will support our global polio eradication efforts. PHOTO OF THE MONTH Polio workers in India deliver life-saving vaccines            |
