INACTIVATED POLIOVIRUS VACCINE OF ENHANCED POTENCY - REVIEW OF 10 YEARS OF USE IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES

A new inactivated poliovirus vaccine of enhanced potency (N-IPV) has been developed since the late 70's. N-IPV can be produced on a large scale in industrial tanks. N-IPV has been extensively studied on all continents and under different climates, specially in tropical countries. It is presently included in vaccination programs of several african regions. N-IPV is recommended in infants as soon as 6 to 8 weeks of age, following a schedule including a primary vaccination with 2 doses at 2 months interval. N-IPV is usually combined to DPT in a quadruple form (DPTPolio). The characteristics and performances of N-IPV make it a substitute or a complement to oral poliovirus vaccine for use in the Expanded Program on Immunization, specially in the perspective of the goal of global poliovirus eradication.