As many of you know, the switch to bOPV has been completed in all 155 countries and territories that were using tOPV. This has been a great achievement that brings us even closer to polio eradication!
Based on the country validation reports that WHO received, approximately 140,000 health facilities were visited by monitors during a period of 2 weeks in April. During the same period, more than 15,000 district, 3500 regional, and 267 national stores were also visited to ensure all tOPV was removed from the cold chain.
Nevertheless, this sampling of cold stores and service points does not represent ALL the facilities in EVERY single country. Additional vigilance should be maintained during the upcoming months to ensure that no tOPV remains in the cold chain with the risk for inadvertent use.
Therefore, we would request that whenever you are on mission in-country, and have the opportunity to visit cold chain stores and/or health facilities, please keep an eye out for any tOPV.
In case you find it, attached is simple guidance on what actions to take. The note may also be found at the following link
How to handle and dispose of tOPV found after 1 May 2016