Outbreak of poliomyelitis due to type 3 poliovirus, northern India, 1999–2000: injections a major contributing factor

Abstract

Cases and controls had similar vaccination histories. The only significant risk factor for paralytic illness was having received any injection in the 30 days before onset. Our study confirms that injections administered during the poliovirus incubation period can provoke paralytic poliomyelitis. Injections in polio-endemic countries should only be indicated when other therapeutic options have failed or are not available.