The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) announced the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) developed in coordination with new country national emergency plans.  The plan builds on India’s successes and outlines a range of new strategies and initiatives to better support eradication efforts, including:

– Intensified focus on worst-performing areas of Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan to increase vaccination coverage by end of 2012 to levels needed to stop transmission;

– New approaches tailored to each country to tackle persistent challenges and improve polio vaccination campaign performance;

– Heightened accountability, coordination and oversight to ensure success at every level of government and within every partner agency and organization.

– Surge of technical assistance and social mobilization capacity.

GPEI noted that the EAP is currently hindered by a critical funding gap of nearly US$1 billion through 2013, with funding shortages already forcing the GPEI to cancel or scale-back critical vaccination activities in 24 high-risk countries.

Global Emergency Action Plan (EAP) 2012-2013

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/polio-eradication-shifts-into-emergency-mode-153533405.html