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Anal. Real Acad. Nac. Farm., 2005, 71: 321-339

Revisión

History and future of poliovaccination, a
personal account *

BART ROMBAUT
Académico Correspondiente de la Real Academia Nacional de

Farmacia

ABSTRACT

Immunization against poliomyelitis began in the fifties of the previous century,
with the development of a formalin-inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). Shortly
later, a live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was developed. It has been
shown that both vaccines are very effective, but they achieve success in different
ways.

The virus causing the disease, i.e. poliovirus, has been and is still the most
extensively studied virus in the world. In the eighties of the previous century, the
complete genomes of several poliovirus strains have been sequenced and the capsid
structure has been elucidated at the atomic level.

These scientific break-throughs of modern molecular genetics and immunology
have opened the way for the development for new or alternative vaccines.
Consequently, different innovative approaches were undertaken to develop better
vaccines, in order to improve the control of poliomyelitis. Some of these
developments, such as the capsid stabilisation of the OPV and the use of subviral
particles produced in yeast as an alternative vaccine, will be discussed.

The eradication programme of WHO will be discussed with an open mind to
questions such as:

(1) Is eradication possible?
(2) Which vaccine should be used for the eradication?
(3) Can we ever stop poliovaccination?
(4) What is the impact of bioterrorism on poliovaccination policy?

Key words: Poliovirus.—Vaccination.—Eradication.—Vaccin.

* Discurso de Toma de Posesión como Académico Correspondiente de la Real
Academia Nacional de Farmacia pronunciado el día 17 de febrero de 2005.

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