SERUM ANTIBODIES TO POLIOMYELITIS IN ITALY
- 1 January 1984
- journal article
- research article
- Vol. 62 (4) , 591-595
Abstract
A seroepidemiological survey was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Italian nationwide immunization program against poliomyelitis. Over 3800 serum samples were collected from persons, 6 mo. to 79 yr old and residing in urban and rural areas with different socioeconomic conditions and geographic locations. A very high level of protection was found in the target population, confirming the almost 100% history of complete immunization. Almost all subjects > 30 yr old were found to have poliovirus antibodies, although they had never been vaccinated. In Naples, a higher proportion of subjects susceptible to all 3 types of virus was found in the age group 6-23 mo., suggesting a delay in the administration of vaccine. This was confirmed by the analysis of the immunization history. No difference was observed between urban and rural areas, in either serological results or history of immunization. The results confirmed the higher immunogenicity of poliovirus type 2 with respect to the other 2 types, the effectiveness of the vaccine and the efficiency of the operational procedures adopted for its administration.This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- SEROIMMUNITY TO POLIO-VIRUSES IN AN URBAN-POPULATION OF ITALY1976
- SEROIMMUNITY TO POLIOMYELITIS IN AN AMERICAN COMMUNITY1American Journal of Epidemiology, 1975
- [On the immunological situation seven years after the introduction into Italy of poliomyelitis vaccination with attenuated live virus vaccine].1973