In response to Papua New Guinea’s ongoing polio outbreak, health officials and key development partners convened for a critical three-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop that is designed to equip frontline workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead a nationwide immunisation campaign aimed at halting the spread of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
Led by the PNG National Department of Health and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the training brings together provincial health authorities—particularly provincial family health coordinators—as well as officers from the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), disease control, cold chain management, health information, and health promotion.
This collaborative effort is focused on ensuring that every child in Papua New Guinea receives life-saving polio vaccines to prevent further transmission and future outbreaks.
Dr. Peniel Boas, Acting Deputy Secretary for Public Health at the National Department of Health, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative: “Beyond stopping polio in Papua New Guinea, this training is another step toward strengthening routine immunisation and ensuring all children receive the protection they deserve. It is also an opportunity to address other vaccine-preventable diseases and reinforce emergency response systems by mobilizing resources and enhancing collaboration”.
With nine confirmed cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2-n) reported in Lae and Port Moresby, the urgency of the response is clear. The campaign targets three critical areas:
- Protecting children from paralysis by administering an additional dose of IPV to all children under five in the areas where the virus is detected .
- Preventing and stopping transmission through two rounds of nOPV2 vaccination and by administering fractional IPV during the second round for all children under ten.
- Strengthening routine immunisation by integrating other essential vaccines into the campaign and conducting accelerated routine immunisation after the campaign.
Dr. Sevil Huseynova, WHO Representative for PNG, highlighted the importance of coordination and local leadership: “A strong and coordinated effort is essential in stopping this outbreak. Provincial health authorities are the key people on the ground leading this response. Their commitment and expertise will be crucial in reaching every child and ensuring high-quality immunisation coverage.”
Participants in the TOT will return to their respective provinces as trainers, tasked with preparing their communities to deploy vaccines, monitor acute flaccid paralysis cases, and engage families in vital immunization efforts.
The workshop also underscored the power of partnership. Financial commitments include AUD 5 million from DFAT, USD 11.8 million from GPEI, and PGK 13 million from the PNG Government. These contributions reflect a united front among global and national health authorities to ensure PNG has the resources needed to combat the outbreak.
Graduates of the training are now ready to mobilise over 5,000 vaccinators, 3,000 community mobilizers, and 900 supervisors—all working toward achieving over 95% vaccination coverage, a critical threshold for eliminating polio.
This initiative is more than a health campaign—it is a testament to the power of swift action, unified efforts, and community resilience. As PNG advances in its fight against polio, these trainers will play a pivotal role in protecting the nation’s children and securing a healthier future.