The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges the generous NZ$2 million contribution from the Government of New Zealand to support Papua New Guinea’s response to the ongoing polio outbreak. This funding comes at a critical time, as the country faces continued transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), confirmed through environmental and community surveillance in Lae and Port Moresby since April 2025.
Papua New Guinea remains vulnerable to polio resurgence due to low routine immunisation coverage and challenges in reaching remote communities. New Zealand’s contribution supports the broader effort to strengthen immunisation systems in the country, in partnership with Australia, Gavi, GPEI and the National Department of Health.
This funding will enable WHO to:
- Provide technical assistance at the provincial level for the preparation and implementation of Supplementary Immunisation Activity campaigns (SIAs),
- Provide operational support for the payment of vaccination teams in areas where costs are not covered by other donor support,
- Strengthen acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and environmental surveillance,
- Train over 100 trainers from all 22 Provincial Health Authorities, who will then train and deploy vaccination teams across all provinces.
“This contribution comes at a critical time,” said Dr Masahiro Zakoji, Officer-in-Charge of WHO PNG. “With ongoing poliovirus transmission and low routine immunisation, this funding allows us to provide training of trainers to health staff from all provinces. These trainers will cascade the training to more than 5,000 vaccinators, 3,000 social mobilisers, and 900 supervisors nationwide to engage communities, vaccinate children, and strengthen surveillance.”
Since the outbreak was declared a public health emergency in May 2025, WHO has been working closely with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and partners to implement a coordinated response. To date, over 31 detections of cVDPV2 have been reported, including from healthy children and environmental samples. Fortunately, no cases of paralysis have been recorded.
To stop the spread of the virus, targeted vaccination campaigns are being rolled out across the country. The 17 mainland provinces—considered high risk—will conduct two rounds of vaccination for children under 10, using a novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2). The second round will also include a fractional dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to boost immunity.
In the five New Guinea Islands provinces, where the risk is lower, a single round of fractional IPV vaccination will be conducted. Across all provinces, the campaign will also integrate other essential child health services—such as nutrition support and routine immunisation—to protect children from preventable diseases and strengthen the PNG’s health system.
WHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea, Provincial Health Authorities, and partners in achieving high immunisation coverage and building a resilient health system capable of preventing future outbreaks.