SEA/RC58/R6 The Regional Committee,
POLIO ERADICATION: FINAL STRATEGY
Recalling resolutions SEA/RC34/R2, SEA/RC38/R9 and SEA/RC49/R6, Reaffirming WHO’s commitment to the global goal of eradication of poliomyelitis, Recognizing that substantial progress has been made in the Region towards the achievement of the goal of polio eradication in 2005, Noting that as of August 2005, poliomyelitis remains endemic only in a few districts in India, but that all countries remain at risk, as exemplified by Indonesia where a large outbreak of polio is occurring, Realizing that such outbreaks resulting from importations of wild poliovirus and funding shortfalls are major obstacles to achieving the goal of eradication in the Region, and Affirming that poliomyelitis eradication will result in far-reaching humanitarian and economic benefits to all countries, 1. URGES Member States where poliovirus transmission is endemic or where wild poliovirus importations have occurred, to further intensify the implementation of their eradication strategies to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission in 2005; URGES all Member States, particularly those which are free from poliomyelitis:
2.
a) to implement the strategies outlined in the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) framework, including the Reach Every District (RED) approach, to achieve and maintain high levels of routine immunization coverage uniformly across all administrative units until global certification of polio eradication; b) to allocate adequate resources for enhancing and maintaining AFP surveillance at sub-national level, achieving high and uniform quality across all sections of communities; c) to develop an action plan with adequate resources to respond effectively to a polio outbreak caused by an importation of wild poliovirus or circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs);
d) to fully implement and verify appropriate containment of wild and vaccine-derived polioviruses, and prepare for eventual containment of vaccine viruses, and e) to analyse and consider the risks, benefits and opportunity costs while developing national mechanisms for eventual cessation of the use of OPV in the routine immunization programme and destruction of remaining stocks of trivalent OPV, and 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director:
a) to advocate with Member States in ensuring the highest political support for polio eradication, including maintenance of high quality surveillance; b) to coordinate with partners and all Member States in mobilizing financial and technical resources necessary to implement GIVS; c) to collaborate with all partners in mobilizing the required resources for polio eradication and in ensuring adequate supply of vaccine, and Seventh Meeting, 10 September 2005
d) to promote and support the international certification scheme for polio eradication in the Region.