GPEI Intensifies Effort to Eradicate Polio Worldwide

2025-05-02 prevention

Geneva, Friday, 2 May 2025.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) renews focus on vaccination campaigns in high-risk regions. Recent urgencies underscore the critical need to eliminate polio globally by 2029.

Current Status and Critical Challenges

As of April 2025, the polio eradication effort faces significant hurdles, with more than 100 children paralyzed by wild poliovirus in Afghanistan and Pakistan over the past year [1]. The GPEI requires an additional $2.3 billion to meet its eradication goal by 2029, a situation complicated by recent U.S. funding cuts of $133 million for 2025 [2]. Despite these challenges, the initiative has achieved remarkable success, reducing polio cases by 99.9% since 1988, preventing paralysis in approximately 20 million people [3].

Regional Response and Funding Developments

A crucial development emerged when Saudi Arabia committed $500 million to GPEI in February 2025, providing vital support amid funding uncertainties [2]. The United Arab Emirates has also demonstrated regional commitment by funding a large-scale campaign following an outbreak in Gaza last year [2]. On April 27, 2025, health ministers from the Eastern Mediterranean Region convened virtually to address the ongoing challenges, particularly focusing on variant poliovirus outbreaks in Djibouti, Gaza, and Somalia [1].

Infrastructure Adaptation and Innovation

The GPEI’s infrastructure has proven adaptable beyond polio eradication, as demonstrated in Angola where existing networks were rapidly repurposed to address a cholera outbreak in January 2025. The successful implementation of mobile teams, community surveillance networks, and logistical systems showcases the broader value of polio eradication infrastructure [4]. This practical application of existing resources has achieved remarkable results, with vaccination campaigns reaching approximately one million people in Luanda, Bengo, and Icolo e Bengo during February 2025 [4].

Future Outlook and Strategic Priorities

The next low transmission season in late 2025 and early 2026 presents a critical opportunity for Afghanistan and Pakistan to potentially stop polio transmission permanently [2]. Currently, the GPEI maintains vigilant surveillance, with the WHO confirming ongoing monitoring of poliovirus in 38 countries as of April 22, 2025 [5]. The initiative’s success hinges on maintaining consistent vaccination efforts and addressing emerging challenges, particularly in regions with limited resources such as northern Yemen, where vaccination campaigns have been suspended since 2021 [1].

Bronnen

Vaccination Polio eradication