Governance

The World Health Assembly issues the resolutions that determine the scope and direction for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The Initiative operates within a broad framework of intergovernmental and interagency cooperation and participation.

Monitoring and guidance

Independent Monitoring Board

Role: independently evaluates progress towards each of the major milestones of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Strategic Plan 2010-2012, evaluates the impact of any 'mid-course corrections' that are deemed necessary, and advises on additional measures appropriate to achieving the plan's milestones.

Members: global experts from a variety of fields relevant to the work of the GPEI
Meetings, resources and reports: Independent Monitoring Board 

Technical guidance on polio eradication

Regional technical advisory groups

Role: reviews the status of polio eradication in countries of the region and makes recommendations on actions for achieving eradication.

Members: public health experts.

National technical advisory groups

Role: reviews the status of polio eradication in the country and advises on local strategy, priorities and programme operations.

Members: national and international experts.

Reports: Technical Advisory Groups

Strategic guidance on immunization

Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE)

Role: acts as the principal advisory group to the World Health Organization (WHO) for vaccines and immunization.

Members: acknowledged experts with a thorough understanding of immunization issues.

Reports: Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization reports

SAGE Working Group on IPV Policy

Role: advises SAGE on the role of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in routine immunization following oral polio vaccine (OPV) cessation, and on other polio immunization issues.

Members: internationally recognized experts.

Management

Global Polio Management Team Plus (GPMT)

Role: oversees strategic planning, technical direction, priority setting, resource allocation and coordination.

Members: WHO regional office and HQ polio staff, team leaders from priority countries, spearheading partners, core donors.

Funding

International PolioPlus Committee of the Rotary Foundation (IPPC)

Role: reviews progress of the PolioPlus programme and plans for the deployment of grant funds, primarily to WHO and UNICEF.

Members: appointed by Rotary.

Certification

Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN)

Role: reviews performance and establishes policies for improving the performance of network laboratories.

Members: representatives of reference laboratories.

Publications: Global Polio Laboratory Network publications

Global Certification Commission (GCC)

Role: oversees the certification process, receives and reviews regional commission reports and – if and when appropriate – will issue a report to the WHO Director-General to certify that the circulation of wild polioviruses has been interrupted globally.

Members: independent experts.

Regional certification commissions (RCCs)

Role: independently verifies polio eradication for all countries in the region.

Members: public health and scientific experts.

Reports: Advisory and certification