TY - JOUR T1 - Maintaining Polio-Free Status in Indonesia During the COVID-19 Pandemic JF - Global Health: Science and Practice JO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT DO - 10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00310 VL - 10 IS - 1 SP - e2100310 AU - Luthfi Azizatunnisa’ AU - Utsamani Cintyamena AU - Vinod Bura AU - Asik Surya AU - Hariadi Wibisono AU - Riris Andono Ahmad AU - Yodi Mahendradhata Y1 - 2022/02/28 UR - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/10/1/e2100310.abstract N2 - Key MessagesIndonesia’s polio-free status as well as the 2023 global polio eradication target have been threatened by disruptions to immunization services caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and related restrictions.Fear of contracting COVID-19, human resource diversion, and travel restrictions posed barriers to delivering polio immunization services during the pandemic.To resume polio vaccination efforts and maintain polio-free status, Indonesia health authorities need to take action to: ∘ Maximize vaccine service reach by mapping children who have not been vaccinated and monitor the vaccine supply chain∘ Integrate vaccine delivery with pandemic response efforts∘ Mobilize communities for advocacy and education∘ Adjust programs to address human resource, physical, and financial resource gaps∘ Strengthen monitoring and evaluation and surveillance effortsIn the first 2 months of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, epidemiological evidence showed the potential magnitude of the pandemic’s indirect impacts on public health that were caused by multiple factors at various levels. Barriers to accessing health care services during the pandemic include avoidance of care, movement and transportation restrictions, social stigma, impoverishment, and the inability to pay for health services due to financial difficulties.1 Additionally, disruptions to medical supply chains, inadequate health care workforce, and limitations in diagnostic capacities in COVID-19 services have affected the provision of other essential health care services.2,3 These setbacks caused increased vulnerability to the sustainability of key health programs such as HIV, TB, and malaria; routine immunization; reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health; and noncommunicable diseases.1,3,–,5The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has drawn global attention because of its 2023 polio eradication target.6 Since 1988, global polio eradication has been implemented with the commitment of all countries throughout the world. The GPEI has developed a robust global network and … ER -