Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access
ISSN: 1948-5964
ISSN: 1948-5964
MM Baba and Michael Ayivor
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir
Despite the decline in reported cases of polio by over 99%, Nigeria remains one of the most entrenched reservoirs of wild poliovirus in the world. The �good� the bad� and �the ugly� aspects of polio vaccination in Nigeria is discussed. The �good� aspect centers around the decline in the number of wild poliovirus cases by over 95%, from 388 in 2009 to 56 in 2011; cVDPV 2 cases declined by 82% , from 154 in 2009 to 57 in 2011. The Immunity to polioviruses has improved in endemic States and areas with persistent polioviruses are better identified and targeted. New approaches to identifying settlements not on the micro plan and to promote community initiatives have been made. On the �bad �aspect, polio cases have increased from 21 in 2010 to 56 in 2011 with ongoing transmission of wild poliovirus type1, 3 and cVDPV2. Declined political oversight at critical juncture and non Implementation of emergency plans in key infected areas has been observed. Lastly, �the ugly� aspect focus on the aftermath of the boycott of polio vaccination in three northern States in 2003 due to a report that, the polio vaccine contained infertility drugs capable of sterilizing young girls, causes polio and spread HIV The boycott led to the spread of polio into twenty countries across Africa, the Middle East and South east Asia causing 80% of the world�s cases of paralytic poliomyelitis. After resolving the crisis, some parents in the north are still resisting compliance with the polio vaccination.