Brazil Replaces Oral Polio Vaccine with Inactivated Version, Boosting Efficacy

Strategic Insights -

As of November, the oral polio vaccine will be phased out in Brazil in favor of the inactivated injectable vaccine, ensuring a more effective vaccination schedule. This decision follows global trends and was deliberated by the Technical Advisory Board on Immunization (CTAI) in conjunction with international health organizations. The update is part of Brazil's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, with the country having remained polio-free for 34 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ministry of Health, Brazil will replace the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) with the inactivated version (IPV) as of November, following the latest scientific evidence for protection against the disease.
  • The update is a global trend observed in countries such as the United States and European nations, which have already adopted vaccination schedules exclusively with the injectable vaccine.
  • The current vaccination schedule will be updated to three doses of IPV at 2, 4, and 6 months and a single booster dose of IPV at 15 months.
  • The update was widely discussed at a meeting of the Technical Advisory Board on Immunization (CTAI) and approved by the board, with representatives from scientific societies and international health organizations like PAHO and WHO in attendance.
  • The new strategy aims to eradicate polio in Brazil, with the country having been free of the disease for 34 years and having successfully used the oral vaccine in polio immunization strategies since 1977.
  • Vaccination coverage for polio in Brazil reached 86.55% in 2023, up from 77.20% in 2022, according to the National Health Data Network (RNDS).

Statistics:

  • 34 years: the duration for which Brazil has been polio-free.
  • 47 years: the duration for which Brazil has successfully used the oral vaccine in polio immunization strategies since 1977.
  • 86.55%: the vaccination coverage for polio in Brazil in 2023, according to the National Health Data Network (RNDS).
  • 77.20%: the vaccination coverage for polio in Brazil in 2022, according to the National Health Data Network (RNDS).
  • 2, 4, and 6 months: the ages at which three doses of IPV will be administered in the updated vaccination schedule.
  • 15 months: the age at which a single booster dose of IPV will be administered in the updated vaccination schedule.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Health, Brazil
  • https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2024/outubro/ze-gotinha-explica-porque-a-vacina-da-polio-ficara-ainda-mais-eficiente