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. 2017 Dec 20:41:e154.
doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2017.154. eCollection 2017.

The path towards polio eradication over 40 years of the Expanded Program on Immunization in the Americas

Cristina Pedreira  1 , Elizabeth Thrush  1 , Gloria Rey-Benito  1 , Ana Elena Chévez  1 , Barbara Jauregui  1
Affiliations

The path towards polio eradication over 40 years of the Expanded Program on Immunization in the Americas

Cristina Pedreira et al. Rev Panam Salud Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

This article synthesizes the important lessons learned from polio eradication in the Region of the Americas, including initial and more recent challenges and best practices, as well as particular factors surrounding attainment of this ambitious goal. Using documents, interviews, and country surveys, the authors describe and analyze the strategies and lessons learned during the 40 years of the Expanded Program on Immunization (1977 - 2017). Some major milestones and chxallenges specifically covered are: the Vaccine-derived Poliovirus (VDPV) outbreak in the Dominican Republic; the regional "mop-up operation;" poliovirus containment in essential facilities; the unprecedented introduction of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); the synchronized switch from trivalent to bivalent OPV; and the countries' unfailing commitment to the cause.

En este artículo se sintetizan las importantes enseñanzas extraídas de la erradicación de la poliomielitis en la Región de las Américas. Se presta especial atención a los retos y las mejores prácticas que se abordaron en un principioy a los más recientes, así como a los factores particulares que han girado en torno al logro de esta meta de gran alcance. Por medio de documentos, entrevistas y encuestas nacionales, las autoras describen y analizan las estrategias y enseñanzas extraídas a lo largo de los 40 años del Programa Ampliado de Inmunización (1977–2017). Entre los hitos y retos más importantes que se abordan en el artículo se encuentran los siguientes: el brote del poliovirus derivado de la vacuna en la República Dominicana; la campaña de vacunación “de seguimiento” a nivel regional; la contención del poliovirus en las instalaciones esenciales; la introducción sin precedentes de la vacuna antipoliomielítica con virus inactivados (VPI); el cambio sincronizado de la vacuna antipoliomielítica oral trivalente por la vacuna antipoliomielítica oral bivalente (conocido como “el switch”); y el compromiso inquebrantable de los países con esta causa.

Este artigo sintetiza os principais ensinamentos da erradicação da poliomielite na Região das Américas, expondo as dificuldades enfrentadas ao início e em um período mais recente, as boas práticas e os fatores inerentes relacionados ao alcance desta meta ambiciosa. A partir de documentos, entrevistas e levantamentos nos países, os autores descrevem e analisam as estratégias empregadas e a experiência obtida ao longo dos 40 anos do Programa Ampliado de Imunização (1977–2017). Entre os marcos e os desafios importantes abordados estão: o surto por vírus da poliomielite derivado da vacina (VDPV) na República Dominicana, a operação regional de “acabamento”, a contenção do poliovírus em laboratório, a introdução inédita da vacina contra poliomielite com vírus inativado (VPI), a transição sincronizada da vacina oral contra poliomielite trivalente à bivalente e o firme compromisso dos países com a causa.

Keywords: Americas.; Poliomyelitis; global health; immunization programs; mass vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests. None declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Number of confirmed cases of poliomyelitis, by Region of the World Health Organization,a and timing of the resolutions for polio eradication, 1985b – 2016
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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