The Polio Eradication Endgame: Brief on IPV Introduction, OPV Withdrawal, and Routine Immunization Strengthening, 8 September 2014

The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 was drawn up in response to the May 2012 World Health Assembly declaring the completion of poliovirus eradication to be a programmatic emergency for global public health.

Under this endgame plan to achieve and sustain a polio-free world, the use of oral polio vaccine (OPV) must eventually be stopped worldwide, starting with OPV that contains type 2 poliovirus (OPV type 2). At least one dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) must be introduced as a risk mitigation measure.