Immune response of neonates to oral poliomyelitis vaccine

Abstract

In the conventional schedule of immunisation infants are given three doses of oral poliomyelitis vaccine starting at, or after, 6 to 8 weeks of age. In the new pulse immunisation strategy three doses of oral poliomyelitis vaccine are given in annual cycles to children under 24 months of age. I carried out a study to see whether a lower age limit could be established in this programme. Neonates were given one dose of oral poliomyelitis vaccine followed by second and third doses at intervals of four weeks. The seroconversion response in the neonates was as good as the response in older infants, indicating that immunisation may be started in the neonatal period.