A clinical trial published in The Lancet Global Health shows that the Sabin-based inactivated poliovirus vaccine generates strong immune responses without raising new safety concerns.
The study in Nepal evaluated the Sabin-based inactivated poliovirus vaccine, known as sIPV, as an alternative to conventional inactivated poliovirus vaccine in routine immunization schedules. Researchers assessed the safety and immune response when the vaccine was administered alongside bivalent oral polio vaccine.
The study found that the vaccine was not inferior to conventional inactivated poliovirus vaccine. This evidence supports broader efforts to make polio vaccination more affordable and accessible worldwide.
Conventional inactivated poliovirus vaccine and Sabin-based inactivated poliovirus vaccine rely on different poliovirus strains during production. Expanding available vaccine options allows countries to diversify their supply chains and strengthen vaccine security.
- What was tested: Researchers in Nepal studied an alternative version of the injected polio vaccine (sIPV) made with a different viral strain than the standard shot.
- How it performed: The alternative vaccine built strong protection against polio just as effectively as the conventional version, with no new safety concerns.
- Why it matters: Having two different types of vaccines available helps lower costs and prevents shortages by allowing countries to buy from more manufacturers.
Increased competition among vaccine manufacturers can help reduce prices and improve equitable access for countries with limited resources. These findings reinforce existing recommendations from the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.
The advisory group recommends that conventional and Sabin-based inactivated poliovirus vaccines can be used interchangeably in routine immunization schedules and outbreak responses. This interchangeability gives immunization programmes greater flexibility.
Maintaining population immunity remains essential for protecting children against paralysis caused by all three types of poliovirus. Even after wild poliovirus transmission stops, countries must maintain protection in accordance with global post-eradication policies.
| Vaccine Characteristic | Conventional IPV | Sabin-based IPV (sIPV) |
|---|---|---|
| Production Strain | Different poliovirus strains | Different poliovirus strains |
| Immune Response | Not specified | Not inferior to conventional IPV |
| Supply Impact | Not specified | Diversifies supply and potentially increases competition |
A reliable, affordable, and diversified supply of inactivated poliovirus vaccine remains a global public health priority. The new data from Nepal provide valuable evidence to help ensure that the benefits of polio eradication can be sustained for generations to come.
- The Lancet Global Health: Clinical trial on Sabin-based inactivated poliovirus vaccine in Nepal
- World Health Organization (WHO): Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommendations
