Vaccination is the Only Protection Against Poliomyelitis
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), genetic clusters of type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus were detected in wastewater samples in Europe between September and December 2024. However, no cases of poliomyelitis have been recorded. Europe, including Lithuania, has been polio-free since 2002.
However, as long as poliovirus circulation is not completely eradicated worldwide, and due to declining vaccination rates in the region and country, the risk of imported virus spread remains. WHO reports that wild poliovirus cases are still being recorded in two endemic regions in Southeast Asia: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
ECDC estimates that between 2012 and 2021, 2.4 million children in Europe may have missed polio vaccinations, while in 2022–2023, an additional 600,000 children remained unvaccinated.
Only Vaccination Provides Protection
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect children and society from polio. Vaccines not only protect individuals but also help maintain herd immunity in communities.
To prevent local cases of poliomyelitis in Lithuania, more than 90% of the population must be vaccinated. It is also essential to ensure vaccination for immigrants from endemic countries and local residents traveling to endemic areas.
According to the Lithuanian children's preventive vaccination schedule, children receive polio vaccinations at: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, and 6–7 years. A total of five doses are required to develop strong immunity and prevent infection upon contact with the virus.
According to the data possessed by the National Public Health Centre (NPHC) under the Ministry of Health, polio vaccination rates among 1-year-old children in 2023 remained above 90% (90.13%), but a downward trend is observed: 2019 – 92.12%; 2020 – 91.35%; 2021 – 90.05%; 2022 – 90%.
Poliomyelitis Affects Children More Often
Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious viral disease, also known as "infantile paralysis", which can cause severe movement impairments and even death, especially in children.
The virus spreads from person to person, mainly through the fecal-oral route or, less commonly, through contaminated objects (e.g., infected food or water). Polioviruses multiply in the intestines and can enter the nervous system, leading to severe complications such as paralysis or death.
Children under 5 years old are most commonly affected. However, unvaccinated individuals of any age are at risk of infection. Infants under 6 months may have passive immunity acquired from their mothers.