The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved the new oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) manufactured by Hyderabad-based company Biological E. Limited.

This approval means that the vaccine meets the World Health Organization’s high standards for quality, safety and effectiveness.

nOPV2 is Biological E’s 10th approved vaccine and is designed to help ramp up polio vaccination. It is a next-generation oral vaccine that reduces the risk of outbreaks caused by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

According to the official statement from Biological E, the nOPV2 vaccine addresses the existing threat of cVDPV2 by being more genetically stable, meaning it is less likely to cause new outbreaks in areas with low immunity.

This makes nOPV2 a preferred choice for fighting polio in vulnerable areas.

Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Ltd, said, “This vaccine has been specifically formulated to address concerns related to Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Polio (VAPP), which occurs in about 2 to 4 cases per million births with conventional OPV, as the vaccine virus can revert to a harmful form.”

The approval of nOPV2 by the World Health Organization is another step in the global efforts to eradicate polio, providing a safer and more effective vaccination option.

Because of its improved stability and lower risk of new outbreaks, nOPV2 is set to play an important role in protecting children from polio, especially in areas where the virus is still a major threat.