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Rotary statement on effect of escalating crisis in Ukraine on polio eradication efforts
Rotary is deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there, including the unfolding effects of the current crisis in Ukraine on the country’s health system. A functioning health system must be kept neutral and protected from all political or security issues affecting countries to ensure that people have continued access to critical and essential care.
Rotary and our Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners have seen time and again that large-scale population movements, insecurity and hampered access contribute greatly to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, including polio. Ukraine is currently affected by a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak, with the most recent case detected in December 2021. A polio immunization campaign targeting nearly 140,000 unimmunized children throughout Ukraine began on 1 February 2022, but is currently paused, as health authorities have shifted focus towards emergency services. Surveillance to detect and report new cases of polio is also disrupted, increasing the risk of undetected spread of the disease among vulnerable populations.
The GPEI has a long history of working in a variety of complex environments, and will continue to adapt its operations to the reality on the ground in Ukraine, to the degree possible, without compromising on the safety and security of health workers. The GPEI is working to urgently implement contingency plans to support Ukraine and prevent further spread of polio, including vaccination activities targeting children at internally displaced persons sites in the border regions of Ukraine, and deploying mobile vaccination teams to reach children along the border.
At the same time, immunization and surveillance efforts will be implemented in neighboring countries, to minimize the risk and consequences of any potential infectious disease emergence or spread resulting from large-scale population movements. Neighboring countries will carry out public health measures to prevent, identify and rapidly respond to signals of polio through enhanced surveillance, reviewing and updating preparedness plans, reviewing and improving immunization coverage at subnational levels and among high-risk groups, ensuring that displaced populations are fully included in any mass vaccination or routine immunization activities.
It is critical that necessary resources are mobilized and made available to assist with humanitarian needs, including relief, disease response, and disease prevention efforts both in Ukraine and in neighboring countries.
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