An antibody survey as an index of immunity to poliomyelitis among Filipinos (1963)

ABSTRACT

Sera of 1078 healthy individuals in Manila and neighboring provinces were tested this year (1963) for neutralizing antibodies against each of the three types of polio virus. Individuals tested had not been vaccinated against polio. They ranged in age from 1 month to 25 years and over; the majority were children between 1 to 9 years old Under 6 months old, 92 were positive for neutralizing antibodies, presumably from the mother through placental transfer. This prevalence rate decreased in the 6-12 month group (61.85), to increase again in age groups 1 to 4 years old. Apparently, these would be the two groups that should be given priority immunization where the vaccine supply is limited. By 5 to 9 years old, 98 were positive for polio antibodies and this rate rose to 100 in the 20-24 year groupThe present study did not include observations on the socio-economic factors in view of the need for detailed consideration of many combined factorsIt was not possible either to determine changing patterns of polio infection as compared to the first work of Hammon (1955) in view of a great difference in the number of individuals tested in these two surveys. (Summary)