Gates Foundation Polio Team
Oct 25, 2018
Chelsea Minkler
Gates Foundation Polio Team

 

Polio eradication is one of the  top priorities for the Gates Foundation, and as a major supporter of the Global Polio Eradiaction Initiative, we contribute technical and financial resources to accelerate targeted vaccination campaigns, community mobilization, and routine immunizations. We also partner to improve polio surveillance and outbreak response; develop safer, more effective vaccines; and galvanize financial and political support for polio eradication efforts.

We have a unique ability to contribute by taking big risks and making nontraditional investments. Examples include our investments in vaccine research; our funding of geographic information system (GIS) maps to replace hand-drawn maps for campaign planning; and our establishment of emergency operations centers in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Chelsea Minkler is a Program Officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation providing advocacy and communications support for polio eradication. She has worked at the foundation for the past seven years on polio eradication, vaccine delivery and child health. Prior to joining the foundation, she had roles at Lake Partners Strategy Consultants, the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the United States Mission to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. She will share an update on the status of the work of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s partnership with Rotary International.