In an effort to stop the spread of poliovirus in Papua New Guinea, the World Health Organisation (WHO), in partnership with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and other key partners, has launched the final Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Port Moresby for the New Guinea Islands (NGI) provinces—East New Britain, New Ireland, West New Britain, Manus, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
This workshop is a key part of the national response to the ongoing polio outbreak and aims to build the capacity of provincial and district health teams. Participants receive hands-on training in immunisation practices, communication, reporting and community engagement. These trainers will then support the rollout of the national campaign, helping to ensure every child is reached and protected.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO Representative in PNG, Dr Masahiro Zakoji emphasised the importance of the trainers’ role in the campaign: “As trainers, you are the catalysts who will turn policy into action. Your work is essential to stop the transmission of the polio virus and build a resilient health system that protects our communities from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The training comes at a critical time. Since the first detection in April, 30 cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) have been confirmed—27 from environmental samples in Lae and Port Moresby, and three from healthy children in Lae—showing that the virus is still spreading. The outbreak was declared a public health emergency on 15 May 2025, prompting a coordinated response from WHO and partners, including a detailed plan for supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs).
The campaign has three main goals: to protect children from paralysis, stop the spread of the virus, and strengthen routine immunisation. Two rounds of nOPV2 vaccination will be conducted in mainland provinces for children under ten, with a fractional dose of IPV (fIPV) given in the second round to boost immunity. The NGI provinces will also carry out a dedicated fIPV campaign. Achieving over 95% coverage in both rounds is essential to stop transmission.
The campaign also aims to improve routine immunisation by delivering other essential vaccines, such as measles and pentavalent, along with child health services like vitamin A and deworming tablets. WHO stressed that this integration must continue beyond the campaign through follow-up outreach known as PIRI (periodic intensification of routine immunisation) rounds.
Although Papua New Guinea successfully responded to a similar outbreak in 2018, challenges remain. Routine immunisation coverage is still below 50% nationally, and surveillance systems for diseases like acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)—a key indicator for polio—need strengthening. These gaps make it harder to detect and respond to outbreaks quickly. WHO has called on all Provincial Health Authorities, partners, and stakeholders to work together to close these gaps and protect children across the country.
The campaign will involve more than 5,000 vaccinators, 3,000 social mobilisers, and 900 supervisors across all provinces. Each vaccination team will also carry out surveillance activities to help detect new cases early. WHO acknowledged the leadership of the NDoH and thanked partners including DFAT, MFAT, Gavi, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and UNICEF for their strong support.
As the ToT workshop continues, participants are being equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to lead successful immunisation efforts in their provinces. Their role is vital in turning plans into action and ensuring that no child is left behind.
WHO concluded with a message of encouragement: “Let us embrace this opportunity with enthusiasm and determination. Together, by combining immunisation with strong surveillance, we can overcome the challenges of the outbreak and create a lasting impact on public health in Papua New Guinea.”