Efficacy of three doses of oral polio immunization beginning within the first four days of life
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A M Bhatawdekar1, N B Kumta, K H Dave
1Department of Pediatrics, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Bombay.
Insights
Starting oral polio immunization in newborns is as effective as delaying it. However, early vaccination provides greater protection against poliovirus during the critical first three months of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Oral polio vaccine (TOPV) is crucial for poliomyelitis eradication.
- Immunization schedules are designed to provide timely protection against infectious diseases.
- The optimal timing for initiating oral polio immunization remains a subject of study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of oral polio immunization initiated in the newborn period versus at three months of age.
- To assess seroconversion rates and protective antibody titers in infants receiving different vaccination schedules.
- To determine the impact of early versus delayed immunization on infant susceptibility to poliovirus.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving two groups of newborn infants.
- Group A received trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) within the first four days, at one month, and two months.
- Group B received TOPV at three, four, and five months of age.
Main Results:
- Seroconversion rates for poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were comparable between Group A (87.2%, 95.7%, 72.3%) and Group B (85.7%, 95.2%, 66.7%) after three doses.
- No significant differences in seroconversion rates were observed between the two groups.
- Infants in Group A had significantly higher protective antibody titers before immunization compared to Group B.
Conclusions:
- Oral polio immunization is equally effective whether initiated in the newborn period or at three months of age.
- Initiating immunization earlier, in the newborn period, provides a greater number of infants with protective titers against poliovirus.
- A delayed immunization schedule increases infant susceptibility to poliomyelitis during the first three months of life.
Abstract:
A study was carried out to test the efficacy of oral polio immunization commencing in the newborn period. In Group A, 47 term newborn infants were given trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) within the first four days, at one month and at two months. In Group B, 21 infants were given TOPV at 3, 4 and 5 months. The seroconversion rates for types 1, 2 and 3 were 87.2, 95.7 and 72.3%, respectively in Group A and 85.7, 95.2 and 66.7%, respectively in Group B after 3 doses of TOPV, the differences being insignificant. Oral polio immunization beginning in the newborn period was as effective as when commenced at 3 months of age. Before immunization, the number of babies with protective titers against polioviruses were significantly more in Group A as compared to Group B. Thus, the later onset of immunization schedule leaves more children susceptible to poliomyelitis during the first 3 months of life.