Maintaining Polio-Free Status in Indonesia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Luthfi Azizatunnisa’,Asik Surya,Yodi Mahendradhata,Vinod Bura,Hariadi Wibisono,Utsamani Cintyamena,Riris Andono Ahmad

doi:10.9745/ghsp-d-21-00310

Abstract

<h3>Key Messages</h3> Indonesia’s polio-free status as well as the 2023 global polio eradication target have been threatened by disruptions to immunization services caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and related restrictions. Fear of contracting COVID-19, human resource diversion, and travel restrictions posed barriers to delivering polio immunization services during the pandemic. To resume polio vaccination efforts and maintain polio-free status, Indonesia health authorities need to take action to: ∘Maximize vaccine service reach by mapping children who have not been vaccinated and monitor the vaccine supply chain ∘Integrate vaccine delivery with pandemic response efforts ∘Mobilize communities for advocacy and education ∘Adjust programs to address human resource, physical, and financial resource gaps ∘Strengthen monitoring and evaluation and surveillance efforts

Highlights

In the first 2 months of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, epidemiological evidence showed the potential magnitude of the pandemic’s indirect impacts on public health that were caused by multiple factors at various levels
Disruptions to medical supply chains, inadequate health care workforce, and limitations in diagnostic capacities in COVID-19 services have affected the provision of other essential health care services.[2,3]
Since 1988, global polio eradication has been implemented with the commitment of all countries throughout the world

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In the first 2 months of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, epidemiological evidence showed the potential magnitude of the pandemic’s indirect impacts on public health that were caused by multiple factors at various levels. We aim to describe the impact of the pandemic on the polio eradication efforts in Indonesia and the strategies to maintain the polio-free status during the COVID-19 pandemic We identified both supply- and demand-side barriers to maintaining high polio immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to Indonesia dealing with pandemic response efforts, they face the risks of importation of WPV from polio-endemic countries, emergence of circulated VDPV, and accidental release of poliovirus from laboratories and vaccine. We identified both supply- and demand-side barriers to maintaining high polio immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic (Figure 1).[11,12,16]. Polio eradication efforts should coexist and be incorporated into pandemic responses

DISCUSSION

Findings

CONCLUSIONS