On the heels of the ‘switch’ in the type of oral polio vaccine used around the world, which was declared complete on May 27, The Task Force for Global Health is now leading development of a supplement for The Journal of Infectious Diseases about lessons learned in this process and other steps towards eradicating polio.

Five Task Force experts and other leading minds in polio eradication efforts will co-author articles for the supplement about lessons learned during the implementation of ‘Objective 2’ of the Polio Endgame Strategy that focuses on the ‘switch’ from trivalent to bivalent oral polio vaccine, the introduction of inactivated polio vaccine, and the strengthening of routine immunization services. The supplement will also feature articles about transition planning after polio is eradicated. The supplement is expected to be published in the second quarter of 2017.

“We hope that lessons learned from polio eradication can be applied to other global public health initiatives around the world,” said Chantal Veira, MBA, project manager at The Task Force.

The Task Force has been involved in polio eradication efforts since 1988.