ORAL POLIO IMMUNIZATION OF NEWBORN INFANT - A POSSIBLE METHOD FOR OVERCOMING INTERFERENCE BY INGESTED ANTIBODIES

Thirty-eight infants weighing 1,500 grams or more were given oral poliovirus type 1vaccine and were fed formula containing neutralizing antibody against poliovirus type 1 in a concentration of 1:256 per milliliter, at various time intervals in relation to the administration of the vaccine. Interference against infection with the vaccine virus was observed when the ingestion of antibody preceded or followed vaccine administration by 2 hours. There was no interference if ingestion of antibody took place 6 hours before and 6 hours after vaccine administration. This model system suggests a method for overcoming the inhibitory effect of breast-feeding on oral polio vaccination. Application of this method to polio immunization of infants in the developing countries is discussed. © 1968.