[Universal use of inactivated poliovirus vaccine--the needs and challenges]

During the final stage of global polio eradication, universal use of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) might be one of the feasible options to minimize the inherent risk of oral polio vaccine (OPV), such as vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis and polio outbreaks due to vaccine-derived polioviruses. A unique IPV, derived from attenuated polioviruses (Sabin IPV), has been developing in Japan, as a promising polio vaccine candidate, particularly in developing countries in the future. Thus, further polio immunization strategies, including the introduction of Sabin IPV, instead of OPV, to Japan and to developing countries, should be carefully considered.