Will Needle-free Injection Vaccines Stop Polio Outbreak

Poliovirus has been largely eliminated in many parts of the world due to extensive vaccination campaigns. However, poliovirus continues to circulate in several countries, including the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Afghanistan is currently facing an ongoing outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).

In 2024, the number of WPV1 cases in Afghanistan rose significantly, reaching a total of 24 cases. So far this year, the GPEI has confirmed two cases.

About 39 countries are affected by poliovirus circulation, such as Afghanistan, which are subject to temporary recommendations issued in June 2025 by the WHO's Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations on Poliovirus.

According to a PharmaJet® press release today, an innovative technology will soon be deployed to increase vaccinations in Afghanistan.

The WHO prequalified Tropis intradermal (ID) delivery system will be used to support a polio eradication campaign sponsored by the National Emergency Operation Center in Afghanistan, UNICEF, WHO, and other GPEI partners starting in August 2025.

Previously, the use of Tropis ID in polio vaccination campaigns has improved vaccine coverage, decreased immunization program costs, and increased acceptability. A study reported that 97.6% vaccinators who used Tropis and 99.6% of caregivers surveyed prefer needle-free over traditional needle and syringe.

Focused on the Eastern region of Afghanistan, where a substantial percentage of the population resides, the new vaccination campaign will deploy Tropis ID to administer 1.3 million fractional doses of inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV) to children ages five and under in parallel to oral polio vaccine (OPV) administration as part of a WHO-recommended strategy to boost humoral and mucosal immunity.

Paul LaBarre, Vice President Global Business Development, PharmaJet, stated in a press release on August 19, 2025, "We aim to achieve high impact in the fight against poliovirus, including increased coverage, decreased costs, and high acceptability seen with Tropis ID delivered fIPV in Pakistan, Somalia,  and Nigeria."

The WHO and the U.S. CDC recommend that all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents and visitors who have been in infected areas for more than 4 weeks should receive an additional booster dose of OPV or IPV within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel.

When departing from the United States, travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies can offer polio immunization advice based on your planned destination. In the U.S., the IPV has been offered since 2000.