The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018 represents a major milestone in polio eradication and describes specific steps to take successfully achieve eradication. Calls for the introduction of at least one dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) into routine immunization schedules, strengthened routine immunization services, and withdrawal of oral polio vaccine (OPV) in a phased manner, is objective 2 of the Endgame Plan.
Achivieng smooth introduction of the IPV as planned and agreed with the Egyptian government, the WHO country office in Egypt, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders such as the Expanded Programme on Immunization, Preventive Sector, Central Administration for Pharmaceutical Affairs, National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals from Ministry of Health and Population, as well as UNICEF country team met on 16 January 2018 to review the action plan of IPV introduction.
The team agreed on the necessary actions to ensure the introduction of IPV will be achieved as planned by May 2018 and on formulating a steering committee formed from relevant stakeholders to oversee the progress and achievements.
The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018 is a comprehensive, long-term strategy that aimed to deliver the status of a polio-free world by 2018. It was developed by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), in consultation with national health authorities, global health initiatives, scientific experts, donors and other stakeholders, in response to a directive of the World Health Assembly.
The plan addresses the eradication of all polio disease, whether caused by wild poliovirus or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, while planning for the backbone of the polio effort to be used for delivering other health services to the world’s most vulnerable children.