[The status of immunity against poliomyelitis. The 5th cooperative study of the German Union to Control Viral Diseases, Inc].

Neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 were determined in the serum samples, supplied by 11 virological institutes, from 3,341 subjects of different ages living in the western part of the Federal Republic of Germany. The 3 poliovirus types were found in all age groups, with a seroprevalence of at least 80%. Although antibodies against the 3 types of poliovirus in the age-groups up to 30 years were demonstrated more frequently than in the previous years in which samples had been examined (1969, 1972, 1978 and 1983), 33% of subjects over 40 years (this age-group had not previously been tested) did not have complete immunity against all 3 poliovirus types. For this reason immunization against poliomyelitis should continue to be recommended when indicated, especially before travels to regions where the disease is endemic.