Kohmer, NikoNikoKohmerRabenau, Holger FelixHolger FelixRabenauRilling, VeronikaVeronikaRillingCiesek, SandraSandraCiesekEnders, MartinMartinEndersEggers, MarenMarenEggers2023-08-152023-08-152023https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/44820010.1016/j.jcv.2023.1054712-s2.0-8515456768637130476Since October 2019, poliovirus type 3 (PV3) has been certified as globally eradicated, and further laboratory use of PV3 will be restricted according to the WHO Polio Eradication Initiative and containment measures. To examine a possible gap in PV3 immunity and a lack of immunity against poliovirus type 2 (PV2), which was already declared as eradicated in 2015, neutralising antibodies against polioviruses (PV) of individuals living in Germany (n = 91,530 samples; mainly outpatients (≈90%) who received immune status testing) were investigated from 2005 to 2020 (age distribution: <18 years 15.8%, 18-64 years 71.2% and ≥65 years 9.5% for 2005-2015; <18 years 19.6%, 18-64 years 67% and ≥65 years 11.5% for 2016–2020). The results showed that the proportion of sera exclusively lacking antibodies against PV3 was 10.6% in 2005-2015 and 9.6% in 2016-2020 and against PV2 2.8% in 2005-2015. As there is decreased protection against PV3 and to detect potential antigenically (immune escape) variant PVs not covered by used vaccines, we recommend continued testing of PV1 and PV3.enAntibodiesContainmentNeutralisationPoliovirusjournal article