The WHO also said it was recommending further trials on the world's first malaria vaccine against the malaria strain that largely affects Africa. (Reuters photo)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested the withdrawal of a specific type of an oral polio vaccine used against the Type II variant from April next year.
Instead a bivalent vaccine should continue to be used, the WHO said, also suggesting the introduction of an injectable polio vaccine in the end game against polio.
The Indian government will also start using the injectable vaccine soon. India was declared polio free in 2014, yet the wild polio continues to thrive in India's neighbourhood in Pakistan and Afghanistan so India has to remain very vigilant, the Indian government says.
The trivalent oral polio vaccine that was being used will be phased out next year, as one component of this vaccine had some concerns.
As of now both the injectable and oral polio vaccines will be given to Indian new born children.
The WHO also said it was recommending further trials on the world's first malaria vaccine against the malaria strain that largely affects Africa.
According to a WHO release, the malaria vaccine, named 'RTS,S,' acts against Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite globally, and the most prevalent in Africa.
But it offers no protection against P. vivax malaria, which predominates in many countries outside of Africa, including India, it said.
The vaccine is being assessed as a complementary malaria control tool that could potentially be added to-but not replace-the core package of proven malaria preventive, diagnostic and treatment measures.