Integration is one of five key strategic objectives in the 2022-2029 Polio Eradication strategy.

Integration Priorities

Since July 2023, the GPEI has strengthened its global integration function, undertaking a renewed effort to support integration activities and better document these efforts. The program provides enhanced program management and coordination support to regions and countries carrying out these activities, as well as greater transparency around the opportunities for integration at all levels of the GPEI.

In 2025, The Gavi Board and GPEI Polio Oversight Board formally agreed to work more closely together to strengthen collaboration and commitment to reach zero-dose children, eradicate polio and sustain a polio-free world.

The Boards endorsed two priority collaboration areas that are critical to achieve goals and maximize joint impact:  (1) Improve targeting and coverage of IPV/Hexa vaccination through routine programs; and (2) Implement a more systematic and comprehensive approach to Integration during and outside of campaigns.   The focus is on specific sub-national geographies at high-risk for polio transmission.

There are a number of RI strengthening activities underway.  The Big Catch Up, which formally ended in 2025, served as a key Integration opportunity, delivering over 100 million vaccine doses to an estimated 18.3 million children across 36 countries. Around 12.3 million were “zero-dose children” who had not previously received any vaccines.  Additionally, 22.5 million out of 49 million approved doses of bOPV and 22 million doses of IPV were administered through Q4 2025.  Countries with leftover doses have an opportunity to utilize those doses through mid-2026. 32 BCU countries also opted to institutionalize catch-up activities after the BCU ended, which provides an opportunity for continued collaboration.   In addition, opportunities  to support other types of integrated outreach (i.e., PIRIs, IBRAs) are also being explored.

A key objective for 2026, with the launch of Gavi 6.0, is to ensure that routine immunisation needs for polio eradication are designed into the Cash and Vaccine Budgets countries will submit to Gavi (see Gavi Funding Guidelines for more information).

Enhancements to planning integrated campaign are also in progress.  In 2025, integrated MR-OPV campaigns campaigns took place in several countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Nigeria, Chad, CAR, and Laos. Integrated campaign planning, with a specific focus on MR-OPV and NTD-OPV campaigns, continues in 2026.