Successful results of a program combining live and inactivated poliovirus vaccines to control poliomyelitis in Gaza.
Trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine ( TOPV ) has been used in Gaza since 1967. After an initial decrease of 33% in the incidence of the paralytic disease, no further decrease could be noted. The mean annual incidence until 1977 was 10 per 100,000 inhabitants. Two outbreaks caused by poliovirus type 1 were registered in 1974 and 1976 with an incidence of 18 per 100,000 inhabitants. In these outbreaks, 34% and 50% of the affected children, respectively, had received three to four doses of TOPV . A new vaccination schedule was introduced in 1978, combining live and inactivated poliovirus vaccines. In the years 1978-1980, the incidence decreased to 2.6 per 100,000 inhabitants; and during 1981-1982, only three cases were recorded. These results indicate that a schedule like the one used in Gaza could serve as a model to control poliomyelitis in developing countries where TOPV alone is not successful.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008877:Middle East; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated