PharmaJet Inc. has been awarded a tender to support the first large-scale implementation of intradermal (ID) polio immunization in Afghanistan. The campaign, part of efforts to eradicate poliovirus in the region, is expected to begin in August 2025.
The campaign will use Golden-based PharmaJet’s Tropis ID delivery system to administer fractional doses of inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV). This effort aims to increase immunization coverage among children under five in the Eastern region through a site-to-site strategy, offering vaccination at multiple, convenient locations.
Despite global progress in eliminating poliovirus through vaccination, challenges remain in Afghanistan, where transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) increased significantly in 2024. The deployment of the WHO-prequalified Tropis device—previously used successfully in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Somalia—supports the country’s goals to eliminate persistent virus lineages, prevent new WPV1 cases, and stop local transmission.
PharmaJet noted that the use of Tropis ID has been shown to improve vaccine coverage, reduce program costs, and increase community acceptability in prior campaigns.
“We are pleased to be supporting Afghanistan in their continued efforts to eradicate polio,” said Paul LaBarre, senior vice president of global business development at PharmaJet. “We aim to achieve high impact in the fight against poliovirus, including increased coverage, decreased costs and high acceptability.”
Editor’s note: This story was originally based on a PharmaJet press release that included references to WHO, UNICEF, and specific operational plans. PharmaJet has since issued a corrected version, removing those references, stating that operational details are subject to national authorities and partners’ agreement. We have updated the story accordingly.
