The Ministry of Health reported this Friday (7th) that there has not been a single case of polio in Brazil since 1989, after a 3-year-old child in Para was ruled out.

The polio vaccine is given by mouth as drops – Photo: Joinville City Hall/Disclosure

The patient had acute flaccid paralysis, and fecal analysis revealed poliovirus. However, an investigation by the health authorities found that the child was given an attenuated viral vaccine (by mouth) before an inactivated viral vaccine (by injection).

The folder also states that the paralysis is “presumably related to the oral vaccine” because “the child’s vaccination record does not contain an entry for inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to be given before OPV. [vacina oral poliomielite]”.

The ministry, however, adds that “the risk of acute flaccid paralysis with OPV is very rare, and that when OPV is used as a booster after the base regimen with the VIP vaccine, this risk is practically zero.”

“The child was treated as an outpatient, never hospitalized, progressed well, muscle strength recovered. Remains with a slight limp [comprometimento da capacidade de marcha] in the left lower limb, ”the message says.

The Sabin Like 3 poliovirus, which was found in the feces of children in Para, “is not transmissible and does not change the epidemiological scenario in the country,” the ministry said.

“From 1989 to 2012, out of 764 million doses of OPV administered to children across the country, there were only 50 cases of vaccine polio. As of 2012, with the introduction of the sequential VIP/VOP regimen, there were no more cases of vaccine polio in the country,” the note adds.

The threat of a return of polio to Brazil and the rest of the American continent was even acknowledged by Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga in his speech at the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference last week.

On Wednesday (5), Keyroga ensured that the country will reach the goal of vaccinating 95% of the target audience against polio. The current coverage rate is around 60%.

The national polio vaccination campaign began on 8 August and ended last Friday (30) after being extended due to low adherence.

Some states have chosen to continue the campaigns on their own, as was the case in Sao Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. Santa Catarina has ended the campaign, but the immunization of the population is still carried out according to the calendar.

The instructions indicate that children aged 1 to 4 years receive a dose of OPV (oral polio vaccine) provided that they have already taken three doses of VIP (inactivated polio vaccine) provided for in the main vaccination schedule.

Another case of suspected polio that was under investigation in Roraima was also ruled out.