31. Lasch, E.E., 'Abed, Y., 'Abdulla, K., El Tibbi, A.G., Marcus, O., El-Masri, M., Handscher, R., Gerichter, C.B., and Melnick, J.L. Successful Results of a Program Combining Live and Inactivated Poliovirus vaccines to Control Poliomyelitis in Gaza. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1984; 6,2: 467 - 470.

The development of a combined trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine and an inactivated poliovirus vaccine is described. Until 1977 a TOPV-only vaccine was used, however, mean annual incidence of poliomyelitis remained at 10 per 100,000. There was evidence that the TOPV vaccine did not provide full protective immunity.

In 1978 a new schedule combining live and inactivated poliovirus vaccines was introduced. During the period between 1978 and 1980, the incidence of poliomyelitis dropped to 2-6 per 100,000 and dropped further during the period between 1981 and 1982.

It is concluded that the new schedule has succeeded in controlling poliomyelitis, and provides a model that could be emulated by other developing countries.