UK gives US$ 108 million (£60 million) to polio eradication for next 3 years

Calls for other donors to commit as well

6 July 2005 – The UK government announced yesterday a multi-year commitment to polio eradication. Single-handedly plugging the funding gap of US$ 36 million (£20 million) to ensure that activities planned  for the second half of 2005 can go ahead, the UK also pledged multi-year contributions of US$ 72 million (£40 million) for 2006 and 2007. International development secretary Hilary Benn called on "others to do the same."

"The UK's pledge could not come at a better moment," said WHO Director-General Dr Lee Jong-Wook. "Flexible, multi-year funding commitments are now more crucial than ever, as outbreaks in previously polio-free countries severely strain the budget." Each time there is an unexpected outbreak, more funds are needed to respond with vaccination campaigns and other measures.

Calling polio eradication "one of the real success stories in the global campaign to combat poverty", Benn asked others to commit to funding for the final steps remaining. These include vaccination campaigns that continue beyond the end of transmission to ensure the virus does not return, constant surveillance of the disease and the process of certifying the world polio-free.

The 2005 funds will enable the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to carry out planned vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance essential to stopping transmission of poliovirus. Advance pledges for 2006-2008 are needed to cover costs of supplementary immunization and surveillance activities to eradicate polio and then certify eradication. US$ 75 million is needed by November of this year for polio eradication activities in the first quarter of 2006.