The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported 8 cases and 15 positive environmental samples for circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus(cVDPV1&2) in countries like Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Yemen.   

GPEI with the partnership of WHO countries, deployed novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2), a modified vaccine of monovalent OPV (mOPV2), to address the evolving risk of cVDPV.    

Clinical trials on nOPV2 revealed comparable protection with genetic stability and reduced risk of emergence of cVDPV2 in low immunity settings. WHO under Emergency Use Listing Procedure (EUL) enabled its rapid field availability with close monitoring.   

As of this week, February 2023, 585 million doses of nOPV2 have been administered across 27 countries. The nOPV2 might be the tool to help stop outbreaks of cVDPVs.

To read the full article @ GPEI website - Click here