World Health Organization has approved a new type of oral polio vaccine

World Health Organization has approved a new type of oral polio vaccine

¨     World Health Organization has approved a new type of oral polio vaccine (nOPV2).

¨     This move strengthens global efforts to combat polio outbreaks.

¨     Pre-qualification means that the vaccine meets global standards of safety and quality.

¨     This approval allows agencies like UNICEF to purchase the vaccine and enables its widespread distribution for emergency vaccination campaigns.

¨     The nOPV2 vaccine is genetically more stable than older oral vaccines.

¨     This reduces the risk of new vaccine-induced outbreaks.

¨     This decision follows a $1.9 billion pledge made by global leaders in December.

¨     This funding supports ongoing eradication programs. The goal is to protect approximately 370 million children from polio each year.

¨     Polio can cause paralysis and can be fatal. It has been eradicated in many areas. However, it still spreads in some parts of the world.

¨     Polio is a life-threatening disease. It is caused by the poliovirus.

¨     It spreads mainly through contact with feces of an infected person or contaminated water.

¨     World Health Organisation declared India as polio-free on 27 March 2014.