The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified a new oral polio vaccine, a critical step in combating polio outbreaks. This designation expands access to a vital tool for controlling poliovirus type 2, especially in under-immunized regions, and bolsters international eradication initiatives.
Poliomyelitis, a highly infectious viral disease, can cause irreversible paralysis. While wild poliovirus is nearly eradicated globally, outbreaks from circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) persist.
WHO prequalification confirms a vaccine meets stringent international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. This allows UN agencies like UNICEF to procure and distribute the vaccine, aiding outbreak response efforts and assuring national immunization programs.
Manufactured in India using technology transferred from Indonesia, this new vaccine diversifies the supply chain for the novel oral polio vaccine, strengthening global stockpiles and resilience.
The novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) offers enhanced genetic stability compared to older vaccines, reducing the risk of seeding new outbreaks while maintaining its effectiveness in interrupting transmission. It has been deployed in numerous emergency responses, reaching millions of children.
Expanding the availability of prequalified vaccines enables faster outbreak responses and protects vulnerable populations, moving the world closer to a polio-free future. Sustained surveillance, financing, and political commitment remain crucial for complete eradication.