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 person 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.