Pediatric case with vaccine-related poliovirus infection: A case report

Reza Taherkhani1, Fatemeh Farshadpour2

  • 1Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7514633341, Iran.

Insights

Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) can still lead to vaccine-related poliovirus infections, even in healthy children. This highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and a potential shift to inactivated poliovirus vaccine for global eradication efforts.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Vaccinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The continued use of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) presents an ongoing risk for the emergence of vaccine-derived polioviruses.
  • Global polio eradication strategies necessitate careful consideration of vaccine-related risks.

Observation:

  • A case of Sabin-like type 1 poliovirus infection occurred in an immunocompetent child despite receiving four doses of OPV.
  • The child's vaccination series did not provide complete protection, potentially due to enterovirus interference.

Findings:

  • Vaccine-related poliovirus infection can occur even in vaccinated, immunocompetent individuals.
  • Enterovirus interference may compromise the efficacy of oral poliovirus vaccine.

Implications:

  • Robust surveillance for vaccine-related polioviruses is crucial for refining public health policies and vaccination strategies.
  • Failure to identify and manage missed cases of vaccine-related poliovirus infection poses a threat to global polio eradication.
  • Transitioning to inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is a key objective for achieving a polio-free world.
Abstract

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