#16 | WHO Prequalifies New Oral Polio Vaccine to Strengthen Global Eradication Efforts

In this episode of the GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal, we examine a new development from the World Health Organization (WHO) aimed at strengthening the global fight against poliomyelitis.The WHO has announced the prequalification of an additional novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), expanding global vaccine supply and supporting international efforts to control outbreaks of poliovirus. Prequalification confirms that the vaccine meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy, allowing United Nations agencies such as UNICEF to procure and distribute the vaccine for immunization campaigns worldwide. The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 was developed to address outbreaks caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), which can occur in under-immunized populations. Compared with earlier oral polio vaccines, the new vaccine is designed to be more genetically stable, reducing the risk of triggering new outbreaks while still effectively interrupting virus transmission. The newly prequalified vaccine is manufactured by Biological E. Limited in India, following technology transfer from PT Bio Farma in Indonesia, expanding the global manufacturing base and improving supply resilience. The episode discusses several key global health issues:• Progress toward global polio eradication• The challenge of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks• The importance of vaccine innovation in outbreak response• Strengthening global vaccine supply chains• The role of international partnerships in disease eradicationDespite enormous progress in reducing polio worldwide, the virus continues to circulate in some regions. Expanding access to safer and more effective vaccines remains essential for achieving the global goal of polio eradication.Original WHO source discussed in this episode:https://www.who.int/news/item/13-02-2026-who-prequalifies-additional-novel-oral-polio-vaccineThe GMJ Podcast accompanies peer-reviewed publications and global health policy discussions published in the Georgian Medical Journal.Journal website:https://gmj.ge/#გიორგიფხაკაძე #drpkhakadze #sheniekimi