Abstract Background The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV or Sabin) is genetically unstable and may mutate to form vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs).Methods In 2014, two VDPVs type 2 were identified during routine surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases.Consequently, a retrospective VDPV survey was conducted to ensure that there was no circulating VDPV in the country.All Sabin poliovirus isolates identified in Uganda 6 months before and 6 months after were napoleon concealer re-screened; Sabin 1 and 3 polioviruses were re-screened for Sabin 2 and Sabin 2 polioviruses were re-screened for VDPVs type 2.The Poliovirus rRT-PCR ITD/VDPV 4.
0 assay and sequencing were used respectively.Results The first two VDPVs type2 were identified in Eastern Uganda and the third was identified during the survey from South-western Uganda.These regions had low OPV coverage and poor AFP surveillance indicators.Conclusion The retrospective VDPV survey was a useful strategy to screen here for VDPVs more exhaustively.Supplementary surveillance methods need to be encouraged.