[Poliomyelitis]

The epidemiology of poliomyelitis, the poliovaccines and the present state of the WHO campaign for world-wide eradication of the polioviruses until the year 2000 are reviewed. In a second part, the recommendations of the "Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO, immunization task force)" from 1994 for Germany concerning poliovaccination are discussed. In contrast to the industrialized countries, the oral vaccination of infants in protection rates. After changes in vaccination strategy including mass vaccination days, the eradication campaign has succeeded in a considerable number of developing nations. However, because of limited financial resources and organizational difficulties the year 2000 goal for global eradication of polioviruses will hardly be met. The vaccination strategy of the STIKO continues to rely essentially on the trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine. The enhanced-potency inactivated polio vaccine is recommended for immunodeficient and all HIV-positive vaccinees as well as vaccinees with immunodeficient or HIV-positive contacts. Combined use of oral live vaccine and inactivated poliovirus vaccine induces an excellent local and systemic immunity. A combined vaccination strategy should be of particular interest in situations where other strategies fail.