Pöördumine

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: http://www.euro.who.int Denmark

Laboratory: National Polio Laboratory, Tallinn, Estonia

Accreditation Review Summary

Accreditation review outcome:

Accredit: Laboratory meets all criteria Capacity:

Virus isolation in cell culture Intratypic differentiation by RT-PCR Sequencing Environmental surveillance

Provisionally accredit: Laboratory passed the most recent proficiency test, but needs to strengthen one or more of the remaining criteria (check off relevant criteria):

Capacity:

Virus isolation in cell culture

Intratypic differentiation by RT-PCR Sequencing

Environmental surveillance

Do not accredit: Laboratory did not pass the most recent proficiency test and/or did not meet other performance indicators.

Capacity:

Virus isolation in cell culture

Intratypic differentiation by RT-PCR Sequencing

Environmental surveillance

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe Denmark

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 25 November 2024 Ms Riina Sikkut Minister of Health Ministry of Social Affairs Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129 Estonia

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Dear Minister,

WHO European Regional Polio Laboratory Network Laboratory accreditation for 2025

As part of the annual accreditation procedure, the national polio laboratory of your country, as a member of the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network, was reviewed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Based on the results of this review, I am pleased to inform you that the laboratory is fully accredited as a WHO National Polio Laboratory for 2025. Please find enclosed the accreditation review summary for your information. All technical recommendations have been shared with the laboratory using the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network Management System platform. The Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240031937) continues to emphasize the importance of rapid poliovirus detection. To that end, the introduction of molecular intratypic differentiation (ITD) in all polio laboratories would prepare them to adopt direct molecular detection of poliovirus once this approach becomes available. I trust that you will continue providing your kind support to the polio laboratory in your country by ensuring that the WHO ITD method is accepted and endorsed for use in your country and that the polio laboratory is adequately resourced to continue its critical function. I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that implementation of poliovirus containment requirements in all polio laboratories is critical within the framework of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative activities. In accordance with the latest recommendations of the Global Commission for Certification of Eradication of Poliomyelitis, only the Sabin type 1 and 3 poliovirus infectious materials are exempt from containment; certified containment of all other materials must be implemented by the end of 2026. Any unneeded poliovirus infectious and potentially infectious materials should be destroyed at the earliest opportunity, with their destruction documented and communicated to the National Poliovirus Containment Coordinator in your country. I would like to thank you personally for your ongoing support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and to congratulate the staff of the laboratory on the successful accreditation. Yours very truly,

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Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge Regional Director Encl.: Accreditation Review Summary Copy for information to: Ms Helen Sõber, Adviser, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122, Estonia Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129, Estonia H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A Genève CH-1209, Switzerland H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor Copenhagen K 1265, Denmark Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81 Tallinn 10617, Estonia