Polio Eradication in Children: Global Challenges and Innovative Vaccination Strategies for Pediatric Infectious Disease

Poliomyelitis remains a critical concern within the field of pediatric infectious diseases, particularly as efforts to eradicate the disease confront evolving clinical and public health challenges. While global initiatives have achieved significant reductions in polio incidence among children, persistent transmission in select regions and the emergence of vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks have highlighted the limitations of current oral polio vaccine (OPV) strategies. Recent studies stress the importance of understanding differential vaccine efficacy, age-related immune responses, and the unique vulnerabilities of pediatric populations. Additionally, disruptions in routine childhood immunization, vaccine hesitancy, and inconsistencies in surveillance are contributing to renewed risks for children worldwide. The continued burden of polio among children underscores the urgent need for evidence-based, sustainable, and context-specific strategies to protect pediatric populations and ensure a polio-free future.

This Research Topic aims to advance and disseminate knowledge specific to polio eradication strategies within pediatric infectious disease. The core objectives include reviewing the comparative effectiveness of OPV and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in children, identifying the epidemiological and immunological factors influencing vaccine performance and uptake in pediatric cohorts, and assessing the impact of integrated immunization programs in sustaining high levels of protection in at-risk pediatric populations. The topic will also examine the lessons learned from polio eradication campaigns that specifically target child health, while advocating for novel frameworks and policy recommendations tailored to the unique needs of children and adolescents.

To gather further insights on this subject as it relates to pediatric infectious disease, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• The current global scenario of polio in the context of ongoing eradication initiatives
• The natural history of polio and its significance for public health
• The changing epidemiology of polio as a result of eradication activities
• A clear overview of OPV and IPV: their uses, benefits, and limitations
• Geographic Variation in Vaccine Efficacy of OPV
• Definitions and distinctions among wild poliovirus, vaccine-derived poliovirus, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, and novel vaccine strains
• The necessity of protecting all children from polio infection
• Strategic recommendations for the most effective and rapid eradication of polio


We invite original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical case reports, and perspectives relevant to pediatric infectious disease and polio eradication.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Poliomyelitis, Polio Eradication, Vaccine Efficacy, Wild Poliovirus, Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV), Immunization Programs, Global Polio Initiatives, Eradication Strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.