The new polio eradication end game: rationale and supporting evidence

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Global polio eradication necessitates the elimination of both wild polioviruses and those from oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).
• The Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategic Plan (2013-2018) outlines the interruption of wild poliovirus transmission and the withdrawal of Sabin strains from OPV.
• Risk mitigation strategies include the introduction of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the rationale and evidence supporting the switch from trivalent OPV to bivalent OPV.
• To detail the policy decision for introducing one dose of IPV into routine immunization schedules.
• To describe the implementation plan for countries utilizing trivalent OPV.

Main Methods:

• Policy review and evidence synthesis.
• Analysis of strategic plans for polio eradication.
• Description of proposed immunization schedule changes.

Main Results:

• The report supports the policy to transition from trivalent OPV to bivalent OPV.
• Evidence supports the introduction of one dose of IPV into routine immunization.
• Implementation strategies for the OPV to bOPV switch and IPV introduction are described.

Conclusions:

• The strategic shift to bivalent OPV and IPV introduction is crucial for polio eradication.
• This policy change aims to mitigate risks associated with OPV use.
• Successful implementation is key to achieving a polio-free world.