Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) carries an estimated risk of one case of paralytic poliomyelitis for every 3.2 million doses distributed.
In Reply.— The ratio of one case of paralytic poliomyelitis for every 3.2 million doses of OPV distributed represents the CDC's best estimate, based on available data, of the risk of polio to recipients and contacts after a single dose of OPV. Parents or guardians of children who receive vaccine purchased with federal funds are informed of this risk each time they appear in a clinic to have their children vaccinated. An estimate of the overall risk in a three- or four-dose series might be useful. However, it does not properly inform persons of the risk of a given dose administered on the day of the clinic visit. In addition, data to calculate the number of children vaccinated each year are not generally available. Simply dividing the number of doses distributed by 3 or 4 may not accurately reflect the number of vaccinated persons. Finally, rates per 100,000 live births
Walter A. Orenstein (Fri,) conducted a letter in Paralytic poliomyelitis. Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was evaluated on Paralytic poliomyelitis. Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) carries an estimated risk of one case of paralytic poliomyelitis for every 3.2 million doses distributed.