Q. Consider the following statements with regard to the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2):
1.It is a next-generation live-attenuated vaccine engineered under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to combat outbreaks driven by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
2.The vaccine features modified genetic structures that render it significantly less stable than older oral polioviruses, intentionally accelerating its mutation rate to clear infections rapidly.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation
- Statement 1 is correct: The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) is an optimized immunisation tool prequalified by the WHO for outbreak response. It is deployed in targeted campaigns to interrupt the transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) without creating new transmission chains in communities with low routine immunisation coverage.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The core advantage of nOPV2 is that it is genetically more stable than traditional oral polio vaccines. Its modified molecular structure makes it far less likely to revert to a virulent, disease-causing form. This stabilization drastically lowers the risk of the vaccine virus mutating into new cVDPV2 strains, making it a vital asset for global polio eradication campaigns.
