WHO Prequalifies nOPV2: Boost to Global Polio Eradication Efforts

The World Health Organization has announced a prequalification of another novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

• This prequalification covers both the drug substance and the final vaccine product, allowing full end‑to‑end manufacturing at a single integrated facility
• The development is an instance of multilateral cooperation (WHO, pharmaceutical partners, GPEI) towards a defined SDG goal — ending polio.

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About nOPV2

• nOPV2 stands for Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2.
• It has been developed specifically to combat outbreaks caused by circulating vaccine‑derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
• Stability: Compared with traditional type 2 oral polio vaccines, nOPV2 has improved genetic stability, which minimizes the risk of reverting to a disease‑causing form.
• WHO Status: Emergency Use Listing (EUL) approved by World Health Organization (WHO).
• Manufacturing:
  • Manufactured by Biological E Limited (India) and PT Bio Farma (Indonesia).
• Type: Live-attenuated oral vaccine targeting Polio type 2

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About Poliomyelitis (Polio)

• Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious viral disease primarily affecting children under five years of age.
• Transmission: It spreads mainly through person-to-person contact via the faecal-oral route or, less commonly, through contaminated water or food.
  • Recent research suggests respiratory transmission plays a significant role.
  • Shedding of poliovirus in the throat supports the theory of respiratory transmission, akin to other contagious childhood diseases like measles and pertussis.
• Impact: The virus multiplies in the intestine and can invade the nervous system, causing paralysis.
• Wild Poliovirus Strain Status Worldwide
  • Type 1: Remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan as of 2022.
  • Type 2: Declared eradicated in 1999.
  • Type 3: Declared eradicated in 2020.
• India achieved a polio-free status in 2014 by WHO , with the last reported wild poliovirus case in 2011.

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