In March 2020, as a localised COVID-19 outbreak evolved into a global pandemic, the GPEI POB took decisive action to repurpose the polio eradication program’s staff, assets and funding to contribute towards the global COVID-19 response, while maintaining critical functions including disease surveillance and planning for a full resumption of polio eradication activities once the situation stabilizes.
In the African Region, the polio eradication program – with its technical expertise, disease surveillance and community networks and logistics capacity – has long overseen responses to other vaccine preventable diseases and are often the first to respond to disease outbreaks. The program is now directing 60 to 70% of its combined resources towards the COVID-19 response.
The GPEI’s updated strategy has called for a resilient, flexible approach to polio planning in 2020 and 2021 and polio operations will resume in intensified mode as soon as the COVID-19 situation safely allows. However, the program will face increased funding needs due to the pause in vaccination campaigns and slowdown in surveillance activities, as well as increased infection and prevention measures that will now be required for campaigns.