New generation of inactivated poliovirus vaccines for universal immunization after eradication of poliomyelitis

Abstract

Twenty years of global polio eradication efforts may soon eliminate the transmission of wild-type poliovirus. However, new information that has been learned about poliovirus, as well as the political realities of a modern world, demand that universal immunity against poliomyelitis be maintained, even after wild-type poliovirus is eradicated. Although 2 excellent vaccines have proven to be highly effective in the past, neither the live-attenuated vaccine nor the currently used inactivated vaccine are optimal for use in the posteradication era. Therefore, concerted efforts are urgently needed to develop a new generation of vaccine that is risk-free and affordable and can be produced on a global scale. Here, we discuss the desired properties of a vaccine and methods to create a new polio vaccine.

Figure 1. Past and projected global poliovirus vaccine usage

Vertical arrows indicate the years of major changes in vaccine product utilization. Dotted vertical arrows denote estimates of future years of possible changes to come. Horizontal arrows indicate the use of the different IPV and OPV products. The thickness of the horizontal arrows (not to scale) suggests the amount of vaccine utilized during the indicated time period.