GPEI is a public-private partnership aimed at eradicating poliomyelitis worldwide. Established in 1988, GPEI focuses on the following key aspects:
Partners: GPEI includes the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and various national governments.
Goals: The primary objective is to eradicate poliovirus transmission globally, with a focus on immunizing children against polio.
Vaccination Campaigns: GPEI coordinates mass vaccination campaigns, especially in high-risk areas, to ensure widespread immunization.
Surveillance: The initiative emphasizes disease surveillance to monitor and respond to polio outbreaks effectively.
Public Health Impact: Since its inception, GPEI has significantly reduced polio cases worldwide, with the disease eliminated in most regions, though challenges remain in certain areas.