THE NOVEL oral polio vaccine has taken another step forward in the global fight against polio, after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the prequalification of an additional vaccine product. The decision expands access to a key tool used to control outbreaks of poliovirus type 2, particularly in under-immunised populations, and supports international efforts to accelerate polio eradication.
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis, mainly in young children. While wild poliovirus has been eliminated from most of the world, outbreaks driven by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) remain a persistent challenge.
What WHO Prequalification Means for Vaccines
WHO prequalification signals that a vaccine meets international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. For the novel oral polio vaccine, this designation allows procurement through United Nations (UN) agencies such as UNICEF, enabling wider distribution to countries responding to outbreaks. It also provides reassurance to national immunisation programmes operating in diverse and often resource-limited settings.
Expanding Supply of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine
The newly prequalified vaccine is manufactured in India, using bulk vaccine produced through a technology transfer from Indonesia. This adds to existing WHO-listed supplies and helps diversify the manufacturing base for the novel oral polio vaccine, improving resilience and reliability of global stockpiles during outbreaks.
Why nOPV2 Matters for Polio Control
Unlike the traditional monovalent oral polio vaccine type 2, the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) is engineered to be more genetically stable. This reduces the risk of the vaccine itself seeding new outbreaks, while preserving its ability to rapidly interrupt virus transmission. Since its initial deployment, nOPV2 has been used in numerous emergency responses, reaching hundreds of millions of children worldwide.
Real-World Impact on Polio Eradication
Speaking at a recent WHO Executive Board meeting, the organisation’s Director-General highlighted falling numbers of wild polio cases globally, underscoring the contribution of vaccination campaigns. The novel oral polio vaccine is authorised for emergency use across all age groups when required by WHO or the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, supporting rapid containment of outbreaks.
By expanding the pool of prequalified vaccines, WHO aims to ensure countries can respond faster to outbreaks, protect vulnerable communities, and move closer to a polio-free world, without overstating progress that still depends on sustained surveillance, financing, and political commitment.
Reference
World Health Organization (WHO). WHO prequalifies an additional novel oral polio vaccine, strengthening global outbreak response. 13 February 2026. Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/13-02-2026-who-prequalifies-additional-novel-oral-polio-vaccine. Last accessed: 18 February 2026.
