Supplemental Dose of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Could Help Rid World of Poli

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Supplemental Dose of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Could Help Rid World of

Polio

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WESTPORT, Sep 14 (Reuters Health) - A supplemental dose of inactivated

poliovirus vaccine given to infants after a primary series of oral polio

vaccinations significantly increases the children's immunity to poliovirus,

especially type 3.

This finding, from a trial conducted in Oman, has implications for the global

initiative to eradicate polio, according to Dr. Roland W. Sutter, of the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, Georgia, and

colleagues.

As reported in the September 14th issue of the New England Journal of

Medicine, 785 infants were randomized to receive a supplemental dose of

inactivated poliovirus vaccine, trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine produced in

the US or Europe, or a monovalent type 3 oral vaccine at the age of 9 months.

They infants had already received a five-dose regimen of oral poliovirus

vaccine. The investigators point out that antibody responses after

vaccination with the oral vaccine are lower for poliovirus type 3 than for

types 1 and 2 in many developing countries. In the current study, at

baseline, seroprevalence of poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 was 96.8%, 98.0%,

and 88.0%, respectively.

Supplemental oral poliovirus vaccine had little effect on type 3

seroprevalence or in the median antibody titer. However, in those receiving

inactivated poliovirus vaccine, type 3 seroprevalence increased to 97.1% by

day 30. The median antibody titer also increased significantly.

" The results of our study support the use of a supplemental dose of

inactivated poliovirus vaccine at 9 months of age after a routine primary

series of vaccinations with oral poliovirus vaccine in infants in developing

countries, " Dr. Sutter's group writes. This strategy may help maintain high

levels of immunity in populations " until programs of poliovirus vaccination

can be terminated throughout the world, " they conclude.

In an editorial, Dr. T. , of Kamalakshipuram, India, discusses the

implications of these findings. " The continued use of oral poliovirus vaccine

after the elimination of wild poliovirus will pose scientific, ethical, and

practical problems, " he points out. " We have inactivated poliovirus vaccine,

a safe alternative and a superior immunogen. "

New Engl J Med 2000;343:767-773,806-807

Blessings,

Suzanne

Mom of (9 years) and Olivia Rose (19 months) and baby

phine due November 20.

" But if ye do not forgive, neither will your father which is in heaven

forgive your

trespasses. " Mark 11:26