The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed a NZ$2 million (around K4.7million) contribution from the Government of New Zealand to support Papua New Guinea’s ongoing response to a polio outbreak. The funding arrives at a critical moment, as cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) continue to be detected through environmental and community surveillance in Lae and Port Moresby since April 2025. Papua New Guinea remains at high risk of polio resurgence, driven by low routine immunization coverage and significant challenges in reaching remote areas. New Zealand’s support will aid broader efforts to strengthen the country’s immunization systems, in collaboration with Australia, Gavi, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Health. The WHO said the funding will enable it to provide critical support on multiple fronts, including: - Technical assistance for planning and rolling out Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) at the provincial level, - Operational support for vaccinator payments in areas not covered by other donors, - Enhanced surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and environmental samples, - Training of over 100 trainers across all 22 Provincial Health Authorities, who will in turn train and deploy thousands of frontline vaccination workers. “This contribution comes at a critical time,” said Dr Masahiro Zakoji, Officer-in-Charge of WHO PNG. “With ongoing poliovirus transmission and low routine immunization, this funding allows us to provide training of trainers to health staff from all provinces. These trainers will cascade the training to more than 5,000 vaccinators, 3,000 social mobilisers, and 900 supervisors nationwide to engage communities, vaccinate children, and strengthen surveillance.” Since the declaration of a public health emergency in May 2025, WHO has been working closely with the National Department of Health and other partners to coordinate a nationwide response. To date, over 31 detections of cVDPV2 have been confirmed, found in both healthy children and environmental samples. So far, no cases of paralysis have been reported. To stop further transmission, targeted vaccination campaigns are being rolled out across the country. In the 17 mainland provinces—considered high-risk—two rounds of vaccination will be conducted for children under 10, using the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2). The second round will also include a fractional dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to boost immunity. In the five New Guinea Islands provinces, where the assessed risk is lower, a single round of fractional IPV vaccination will be conducted. The vaccination campaign will also include other essential child health services such as nutrition support and routine immunizations, helping to protect children from a range of preventable diseases while reinforcing Papua New Guinea’s broader health system. WHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea, Provincial Health Authorities, and partners in achieving high immunization coverage and building a resilient health system capable of preventing future outbreaks.