WHO Approves Novel Oral Polio Vaccine to Strengthen Worldwide Response to Epidemic

 In a major step forward for global public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified a new oral polio vaccine designed to strengthen outbreak response efforts worldwide. The move is expected to accelerate vaccine deployment in vulnerable regions and reinforce the global fight against polio, a disease that remains a threat in certain parts of the world.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis or even death. Thanks to decades of immunisation campaigns, polio cases have declined by more than 99% globally since 1988. However, outbreaks linked to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) continue to pose challenges in areas with low immunisation coverage.

The newly prequalified oral polio vaccine has been developed to address this very issue. Traditional oral polio vaccines (OPV) are highly effective and easy to administer, but in rare instances, the weakened virus used in the vaccine can mutate and circulate in under-immunised communities. The new formulation is genetically stabilised to reduce the risk of such mutations, making it a safer and more reliable tool in outbreak control.

WHO prequalification is a critical regulatory milestone. It means the vaccine has met strict international standards for safety, efficacy, and quality. Prequalification allows United Nations agencies and global partners to procure and distribute the vaccine for use in national immunisation programmes. This approval will enable faster access for countries facing outbreaks, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia where polio transmission has re-emerged.

Health experts say the new vaccine will complement ongoing efforts by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership launched in 1988 to eradicate polio worldwide. The GPEI includes national governments, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Together, they have helped vaccinate billions of children and prevented millions of cases of paralysis.

The introduction of the improved oral vaccine is particularly important in emergency settings. During outbreaks, rapid vaccination campaigns are essential to stop virus transmission. The ease of oral administration — requiring no injections and minimal medical infrastructure — makes OPV ideal for mass immunisation drives, especially in remote or conflict-affected areas.

Public health officials emphasise that while the world is closer than ever to eradicating polio, the final stretch is often the most difficult. Persistent challenges include vaccine hesitancy, logistical barriers, conflict zones, and health system disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic also slowed routine immunisation programmes in many countries, leading to immunity gaps.

The WHO’s prequalification of the new oral polio vaccine signals renewed momentum in global eradication efforts. By improving vaccine safety and strengthening outbreak response capacity, health authorities hope to close remaining gaps and prevent future resurgences.

In conclusion, the approval of this next-generation oral polio vaccine represents both scientific progress and a renewed commitment to a polio-free world. With sustained political will, community engagement, and global cooperation, experts believe that complete eradication of polio is still within reach.