Polio is often thought of as a disease of the past, but the reality is this devastating virus can re-emerge anywhere, at any time.
In 2018, Australia’s closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, experienced an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus after being declared polio-free for the preceding 18 years. Fortunately, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and its partners were able to respond swiftly, and the outbreak was contained.
Alarmingly, countries with high-performing health systems, such as Israel, the United States and United Kingdom, are now grappling with re-emergence of vaccine-derived polio virus. Australia was declared polio-free on October 29, 2000, along with 36 countries and territories in the Western Pacific region, but we must remain ever vigilant.
The Australian Government is committed to investing in the eradication of this disease while investing in the long-term health of our region.
“The Albanese Government is proud to contribute $43.55 million to GPEI to support the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-26, which is a 10 per cent increase compared with the previous funding cycle,” said Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP.
“This will enable GPEI to procure vaccines, strengthen surveillance, mount immunisation campaigns, and integrate polio activities into routine immunisation systems. Importantly, our pledge incorporates a $2.3 million contribution on behalf of Rotarians across Australia, fulfilling our Government’s election commitment.
“During my time as the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, as well as my previous role as Shadow Minister, I have been highly impressed by the extraordinary work by Australian Rotary clubs in this fight,” said Minister Conroy.
“The Australian Government is working with Rotary Australia to deliver on this pledge and will continue to work together to tackle one of the most important health challenges in developing countries in South Asia.”
Since its launch in 1988, GPEI has made dramatic progress against the virus, decreasing incidences of wild polio by over 99 per cent. In implementing its Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-26, GPEI will support 370 million children to be vaccinated each year and continue critical disease surveillance across 50 countries – some in the most fragile settings in the world.
“Beyond our commitments on polio eradication, the Australian Government will provide an additional $900 million in development assistance to the Pacific over the next four years,” Minister Conroy said.
“This will support our neighbours to recover from the economic devastation of COVID-19, and support health, economic, education, social and climate outcomes for the region. Australia’s development program across the Indo-Pacific will strengthen health security and build more resilient health systems – particularly routine immunisation programs, critical to guarding against polio re-emergence.
“I pay tribute to Rotary clubs right across Australia, Rotarians around the world, and frontline workers for their ongoing dedication to eradicating polio. Thank you for setting an example of how Rotarians and partners around the globe can achieve a safer region and world – where no child is paralysed by polio.”