The requirements under objective 2 of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018—to introduce at least 1 dose of inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV); withdraw oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV), starting with the type 2 component; and strengthen routine immunization programs—set an ambitious series of targets for countries. Effective implementation of IPV introduction and the switch from trivalent OPV (containing types 1, 2, and 3 poliovirus) to bivalent OPV (containing types 1 and 3 poliovirus) called for intense global communications and coordination on an unprecedented scale from 2014 to 2016, involving global public health technical agencies and donors, vaccine manufacturers, World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund regional offices, and national governments. At the outset, the new program requirements were perceived as challenging to communicate, difficult to understand, unrealistic in terms of timelines, and potentially infeasible for logistical implementation. In this context, a number of core areas of work for communications were established: (1) generating awareness and political commitment via global communications and advocacy; (2) informing national decision-making, planning, and implementation; and (3) in-country program communications and capacity building, to ensure acceptance of IPV and continued uptake of OPV. Central to the communications function in driving progress for objective 2 was its ability to generate a meaningful policy dialogue about polio vaccines and routine immunization at multiple levels. This included efforts to facilitate stakeholder engagement and ownership, strengthen coordination at all levels, and ensure an iterative process of feedback and learning. This article provides an overview of the global efforts and challenges in successfully implementing the communications activities to support objective 2. Lessons from the achievements by countries and partners will likely be drawn upon when all OPVs are completely withdrawn after polio eradication, but also may offer a useful model for other global health initiatives.

With IPV introduced, the next step in polio eradication is to switch the type of OPV used in immunisation schedules from trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV). This change will remove live attenuated type 2 poliovirus (included in trivalent but not bivalent forms of OPV) and its small associated health risks. The switch is planned to happen on one day between April 17, and May 1, 2016, with remaining tOPV destroyed within 2 weeks. 10 South Asian countries have developed plans for the switch encompassing procurement, logistics, communication, and waste management and disposal. Anticipated challenges include ensuring destruction of surplus tOPV and communicating to health workers the dangers associated with its continued use. Vaccine costs for unused tOPV, and regulatory approval for bOPV in routine schedules could also be hurdles that aff ect the switch.Introduction of IPV has been successful in south Asia, and many challenges have been overcome. The focus is now to ensure high and equitable coverage of IPV to maximise the benefi t of removal of tOPV from routine vaccination schedules in 2016.

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