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Poliomyelitis: vaccinate adults too, even in Europe

Children must be systematically vaccinated against poliomyelitis, and adults should be given boosters every 10 years.

In June 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the European region free of acute poliomyelitis. As of October 2004, no new cases of acute poliomyelitis had been reported in the region since this announcement. But the virus is still prevalent in ten countries worldwide: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ivory Coast, Egypt, India, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sudan. Imported cases have been reported in several African countries: Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea and Mali. Countries where the virus is not active, such as France, are not safeguarded from imported cases. Given the seriousness of the disease, the absence of treatment and the few adverse effects caused by the injectable vaccine, the official French vaccinations guide still recommends systematic vaccination of children, with a booster every 10 years for adults. In cases of suspected acute poliomyelitis, doctors must immediately notify the local health authority and give a booster, if necessary, to all those living in close proximity to the affected patient, without waiting for confirmation. The full vaccination must be given to those who have never been immunised or whose vaccination status is uncertain.

©Prescrire February 2005

Source: "Poliomyélite : vacciner même les adultes, même en Europe" Rev Prescrire 2005 ; 25 (258) : 131.

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