FAQs
Is there any data on the duration of immunity after receiving a lifetime booster?
With the IPV, most experts agree that immunity might be long-lasting, at least for decades. For OPV, it is usually agreed that immunity is lifelong.
What should school nurses watch for in unvaccinated children?
Look out for the classic presentation of polio: sudden onset of weakness, loss of muscle tone and reflexes, acute flaccid paralysis, i.e., the patient is unable to walk. Monitor the […]
If a person has received the IPV series, is there a titer, or some other immunity check that is offered to check immunity years later instead of getting another booster (in case the person goes into front line work or laboratory work)?
According to the CDC, you should refer to records to confirm vaccination status. If records are missing or you’re not sure you received the vaccine, err on the side of […]
Were OPV-vaccinated individuals the source of the polio outbreak in New York?
The New York case was an unvaccinated individual. The case report can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7133e2.htm
What causes the discrepancy in full immunity between the bivalent and trivalent OPV?
The trivalent OPV was first introduced in the global effort to eradicate polio. However, in 2016, after the eradication of wild poliovirus type 2 in 2015, the world moved to […]
Is there a test for immunity if someone is unsure whether they were ever vaccinated?
Yes, many commercial laboratories can test serum antibodies.
You mentioned using soap and water, but is alcohol- based hand rub not effective for hand hygiene?
Yes, as with some other enteroviruses, hand washing is preferred and poliovirus is not reliably inactivated by 70% ethanol.
Can you address environmental cleaning and disinfection for poliovirus?
Bleach is effective. 70% ethanol, isopropanol, and quaternary ammonium are NOT reliably effective. See the EPA Q list for Tier 3 viruses: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/disinfectants-emerging-viral-pathogens-evps-list-q
Can you speak to the risk of transmission of poliovirus from environmental surfaces and fomites?
Environmental persistence can last for weeks to months.
Are mRNA flu vaccines in development?
Pfizer has started a phase 3 clinical trial of an mRNA-based flu vaccine. However we are not aware of the effectiveness or when it may be deployed, however we wouldn’t […]