The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged a NZ$2 million contribution from the Government of New Zealand to support Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) response to its ongoing polio outbreak. This timely support comes as cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) continue to be confirmed through environmental and community surveillance in Lae and Port Moresby since April 2025.
PNG remains highly vulnerable to polio resurgence due to persistently low routine immunisation rates and difficulties accessing remote areas. New Zealand’s funding will help bolster national immunisation efforts, in collaboration with Australia, Gavi, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and PNG’s National Department of Health.
WHO will use this funding to provide technical assistance for Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs), pay vaccination teams where other donor support is unavailable, strengthen surveillance systems, and train more than 100 provincial trainers. These trainers will, in turn, prepare over 5,000 vaccinators, 3,000 social mobilisers, and 900 supervisors across all provinces to deliver vaccinations and engage communities.
Dr Masahiro Zakoji, WHO’s Officer-in-Charge in PNG, emphasised that the contribution enables widespread capacity building essential for stopping virus transmission. While over 31 detections of cVDPV2 have been confirmed—mainly in healthy children and environmental samples—no paralysis cases have been reported so far.
To contain the outbreak, targeted campaigns are underway. In 17 high-risk mainland provinces, two rounds of vaccination using the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) are planned for children under 10. A fractional dose of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) will be included in the second round to enhance immunity.
In the five provinces of the New Guinea Islands, where the risk is lower, a single round of fractional IPV vaccination will be conducted. These campaigns will also integrate other child health services, including routine immunisation and nutrition support, to protect children from preventable diseases and strengthen the national health system.
WHO has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to supporting PNG’s government, Provincial Health Authorities, and partners in achieving higher immunisation coverage and building a resilient health infrastructure capable of preventing future outbreaks.
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