New England Journal of Medicine: A World Free of Polio — The Final Steps
Manish Patel, member of the Task Force for Global Health, and Walter Orenstein, associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center

“…[In the process of removing all oral polio vaccines (OPVs) over the long term, c]oordinated communication among global health organizations, countries, manufacturers, and funders is imperative … Successful synchronization also requires [Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)] leaders and countries to monitor the timely completion of preparatory steps both globally and within each country … Equally, if not more, important, however, will be the monitoring of outcomes of withdrawal of the vaccine in April 2016. … More preparation for the switch is required in the coming months, and for completing polio eradication in the coming years. … Capitalizing on the gains made to date should push overall polio eradication over the finish line and may pave the way for measles eradication and future global health initiatives” (2/11).