Bivalent polio vaccine soon

After being recommended by the India Expert Advisory group (IEAG) on polio eradication in a meeting held...

After being recommended by the India Expert Advisory group (IEAG) on polio eradication in a meeting held on Thursday,India will soon start using ‘bivalent’ polio vaccines to combat both P1 and P3 viruses. Trials have already been conducted on the new vaccine,which is likely to be introduced this year.

Health Ministry officials say the new vaccine is more effective against both viruses. While the IEAG has recommended that the monovalent vaccine remain the key tool for interrupting wild polioviruses and be maintained as the vaccine of choice for mop-up immunization campaigns,its has advised the government to use the bivalent vaccine to complement its use.

“The vaccine will be new for India but it is an established vaccine with many developed countries already using it. The bivalent vaccine is superior to the trivalent vaccine and hence,its introduction will be a good move. Trials have already been conducted. However,the manufacturers are yet to get the manufacturing license,” said a senior official in the Ministry.

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While the vaccine will be given orally,officials say its introduction would spare them the hassle of organising two different rounds for P1 and P3. “While separate rounds are conducted for the two different strains,the bivalent vaccine is effective against both,” added the official.

The IEAG has also once again recommended the use of Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV).