Thanks to eClub Rotarian Carol F. for suggesting this article.

Polio Update

WHO Allows nOPV2 for cVDPV2

Let's unpack that. Last week, the World Health Organization issued a recommendation that will allow rollout of a new oral vaccine, Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). This vaccine will be available for limited use in countries affected by outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

We can unpack it a bit more: of the three strains of wild polio virus, only type 2 has never been eradicated (is "endemic") in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The oral vaccine that has been used for a long time to protect against type 2 is live, and can mutate and spread (circulate) to unvaccinated children. The new (novel) vaccine is more stable, less likely to mutate and very unlikely to circulate to unvaccinated children. This means it is preferred in regions where vaccination rates, for cultural or logistical reasons, are low.

If you want to hear someone else repeat what you just read, here's a nice animation: Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 animation