WHO grants a key approval to the innovative polio vaccine nOPV2

Countries will soon have easier access to the novel oral polio vaccine type 2, also known as nOPV2, a crucial new tool for stopping outbreaks caused by variant poliovirus. The World Health Organization made this possible by issuing a key approval for nOPV2 in December. This is the first approval of its kind for a vaccine being used under the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing. With nearly 1 billion doses administered already, this next-generation vaccine will continue to play an important role in tackling type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, also known as type 2 variant poliovirus, and in protecting millions of children against illness and paralysis Learn more (article in English only)

Save the Date: World Immunization Week, 24-30 April

The World Health Organization recognizes 24-30 April each year as World Immunization Week. Rotary and our partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative use the annual event to highlight the critical importance of polio vaccinations in protecting children from the debilitating effects of polio. World Immunization Week is also a key moment in the year to show the success of vaccines in reducing polio cases by more than 99.9% since the GPEI was established in 1988, which provides proof that #VaccinesWork. In March and April, check the End Polio Now Resource Center for new information and materials your club can use to host a polio-related event during World Immunization Week. Visit Resource Center

Actions you can take to support #EndPolio

1. Mark 24-30 April on your calendar for World Immunization Week. With your club, start thinking about what you can do that week to increase support for polio vaccination efforts.
2. Share the great news that the novel oral polio vaccine type 2, nOPV2, will soon be available in more countries. Sample message:

The novel oral polio vaccine type 2, #nOPV2, has been granted a key approval from @WHO. ✅ Now even more children can be better protected from the devastating consequences of polio. #EndPolio [Link to press release]

Videos

• Watch and share this Voices of Members video to raise awareness about the work Rotary members are doing to help eradicate polio.
• Watch Rotary Tasmania fire up their grills to fundraise for the fight against polio.
• Listen to Jennifer Jones, past Rotary International president, interview Dr. Hamid Jafari, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region’s director of polio eradication.