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Poliomyelitis in Delhi: a projection on pool of at-risk under five during 1995
J Bhattacharjee1, Devadethan, R S Sharma
1National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Shamnath Marg, Delhi.
Insights
Oral polio vaccine immunization leaves some children susceptible to poliomyelitis. This study estimates approximately 3.7 lakh susceptible children under five in Delhi in 1995, highlighting the need for targeted strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Immunization Programs
Background:
- Oral polio vaccine (OPV) has limitations in coverage and efficacy, leaving a segment of the pediatric population vulnerable to poliomyelitis.
- Identifying and quantifying susceptible populations is crucial for effective disease eradication strategies, especially during the final stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the size of the susceptible under-five child population in Delhi in 1995.
- To highlight the need for community-level identification methods for susceptible individuals.
- To propose supplementary immunization approaches to aid polio eradication.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of available data.
- Development of a specific formula to estimate the susceptible pool size.
- Assumptions were made based on existing data for calculation.
Main Results:
- The estimated size of the susceptible under-five child population in Delhi in 1995 was approximately 3.7 lakh.
- The study underscores the challenge of identifying susceptible individuals at the community level.
Conclusions:
- A significant pool of susceptible children exists, posing a risk for poliomyelitis transmission.
- Innovative methodologies are required to identify these susceptible individuals during the terminal phase of polio eradication.
- Additional immunization strategies may be necessary to achieve complete polio eradication.
Abstract:
Due to lacunae in coverage and limitation in efficacy, immunization with oral polio vaccine has left a group of susceptible children at risk of developing poliomyelitis. The present study, with the help of statistics, projects the size of that susceptible pool of underfive children in Delhi during 1995. With the help of available data and some assumption, a formula has been developed for the purpose. The size of the pool thus estimated is about 3.7 lakh. There is a need to develop methodology for finding such susceptibles at community level, particularly at the terminal phase of eradication. An additional approach of immunization has also been suggested to facilitate the prospect of polio eradication.