11th Meeting of the India Expert Advisory Group for Polio Eradication

Abstract

This report details the major observations and strategic recommendations of the 11th meeting of the India Expert Advisory Group for Polio Eradication (IEAG) that was held in New Delhi, India from June 10-11 2004. The document discusses gains that were made toward polio eradication in the previous year. It reaffirms the Group's support for existing strategies, noting that they are, "correct, appropriate, and clearly effective." The report notes that polio cases from January to April 2004 were at the lowest level since the beginning of accute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. The report details the current risks identified by the IEAG, noting that several geographical regions continue to be the primary source of ongoing transmission; that fatigue amongst communities, workers, and partners is a genuine concern; that there are continuing weaknesses in the operational quality of some supplementary immunisation activates; and that continued political attention and cooperation is vital. The report makes 17 specific recommendations grouped under headings of government ownership, supplementary immunisation strategies for target zero, supplementary immunisation quality, surveillance and laboratory, programme communications, and routine immunisation.

Key Communication Points

The IEAG notes that social mobilisation activities have been vital in reaching children, especially in minority Muslim communities. Funding for communication activities has been secured through to early 2005. The report also notes that data emerging from the social mobilisation coordinator activities continues to demonstrate the importance of communication. The specific recommendations of the IEAG are:

• (13.) "That minority Muslim communities should remain the focus group for communication activities that target the underserved.
• (14.) That a comprehensive communication approach for maintaining motivation amongst workers and the community as a whole is urgently needed, especially in areas requiring mop-up activities. Furthermore, development of a strategy to support continued vaccination activities after cessation of transmission should be commenced now.
• (15.) A communications strategy is needed to assist Mop-Up activities in areas where transmission has occurred. The goal of the strategy should be to facilitate rapid responses by mobilizing and engaging target populations in response to this public health emergency."