WHO prequalifies new polio vaccine to boost global outbreak response

February 13, 2026 5:09 PM

WHO prequalifies new polio vaccine to boost global outbreak response

The World Health Organization said on Friday it had prequalified another novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a step it said would speed efforts to eradicate the disease. Prequalification certifies that the vaccine meets international standards for quality and safety, allowing U.N. agencies such as UNICEF to buy and distribute it for immunization campaigns. The nOPV2 shot is designed to be more genetically stable than older oral polio vaccines, lowering the risk of triggering new outbreaks...

Increase taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks, alcohol to reduce diabetes and cancers: WHO

January 14, 2026 5:00 PM

Increase taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks, alcohol to reduce diabetes and cancers: WHO

Increasing taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks and alcohol is essential to curb the rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries, especially among children and young adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. In two new global reports, the WHO flagged concerns that sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming cheaper due to consistently low tax rates in most countries. While more than 100 countries tax sugary drinks suc...