World Health Organisation prequalifies new polio vaccine to boost global outbreak response

Bengaluru: ​The World Health Organization said on Friday it had prequalified another ⁠novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), ⁠a step it ‌said would ​speed efforts to eradicate the disease.

Prequalification certifies that the vaccine meets international standards for ​quality and ⁠safety, allowing U.N. agencies such as UNICEF to buy and distribute it for immunization ⁠campaigns.

The ‌nOPV2 shot is designed to be more ‌genetically stable than older oral ⁠polio vaccines, lowering the risk of triggering new ‌outbreaks while helping ‌to stop transmission, the ‌WHO said.

The move ‌follows a pledge by global leaders in December to provide $1.9 billion to ⁠support ⁠eradication efforts, aiming to protect 370 million children each year despite recent budget cuts.

Polio, a disabling and potentially life-threatening disease, has been ​wiped out in many ​regions but ​continues to circulate.