IPV Introduction, OPV Withdrawal and Routine Immunization Strengthening
This site provides information on objective 2 of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018. Objective 2 seeks to hasten the interruption of all poliovirus transmission and, where possible, contribute to strengthening immunization services for the delivery of other lifesaving vaccines.
The Endgame Plan was developed in response to the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2012, which declared the completion of poliovirus eradication to be a “programmatic emergency for global public health”. Under objective 2,all trivalent oral polio vaccines (OPV) were replaced with bivalent OPV in all OPV-using countries across the world – setting the stage for eventually ending OPV use entirely. In addition, at least one dose of inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) has been introduced into routine immunization programmes globally.
The OPV switch around the world: visit our photo story
In a two-week period from 17 April 2016, the globally synchronized switch from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) took place in 155 countries and territories.
To see how the switch was implemented in different countries around the world, visit our interactive web site to explore a range of photos illustrating all of the efforts that took place.
The Switch in the Americas: a mini-documentary
To capture this monumental event in global health history, PAHO/WHO has created a mini-documentary video following the tOPV-bOPV switch.
This video will contribute to the Polio legacy in the Americas, explaining the fundamentals of why the world embarked on the switch journey, and how the countries in the Americas planned, implemented, and supervised this process.
Available in English and Spanish at links below.
Most recent WHO position paper on polio vaccines
The most recent WHO position paper on polio vaccine was issued in the Weekly Epidemiological Record in March 2016. It covers important information on polio epidemiology, the oral and inactivated poliovirus vaccines, and schedule recommendations.
This paper supersedes the WHO position paper entitled " Polio vaccines: WHO position paper, January 2014".
The position paper can be found online at: Polio vaccines: WHO position paper, March 2016 in English, French and Russian.
Click the links below for more information:
This site was established to support national planning and implementation in relation to objective 2 of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018. While the most intensive phase of activity took place from 2014 to 2017, the content is retained to support reference to the rationale and guidance herein, to contribute to enhancing use of IPV and fractional dose IPV, promote learning, and inform future similar efforts such as OPV withdrawal.
- Policy recommendations and guidance on planning for IPV introduction
- Materials to support implementation, including logistics, training and communications
- Background information, implementation experiences and materials available related to the fractional dose administration of IPV
- Case studies from countries that have introduced IPV
- Rationale and timelines for the switch from trivalent OPV to bivalent OPV
- Guidance and procedures for planning and implementing the switch
- Step-by-step guidance and templates for monitoring and validation of tOPV withdrawal
If you have any questions or need more information about IPV introduction, OPV withdrawal and routine immunization strengthening, please contact po[email protected].
The OPV switch around the world!
Status updates on country planning for IPV introduction
WHO, UNICEF, and partners, are in regular dialogue with countries to support effective preparations. Click below for a summary per country of the status of planning and introductions updated monthly.
