The Need and Potential of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine

As the polio endgame progresses, the world will increasingly rely on inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) for protection against polio (wild and vaccine-related) and for risk mitigation during the phased removal of oral polio vaccine (OPV). IPV has already been introduced in most countries and strategies are underway to ensure the remaining OPV-only using countries succeed in introducing IPV in light of operational challenges. Questions remain as to the ideal dosing schedule for IPV in developing countries as well as the length of time for IPV to be administered beyond certification of eradication of wild polioviruses and total OPV withdrawal. IPV policies will likely evolve and new technologies will become available to meet unforeseen needs during this historical and unprecedented public health endeavor. Pediatricians in India have a crucial role to play in this global effort by supporting the overall polio eradication strategy and ensuring that all targeted children in India receive IPV.