Polio vaccinations have saved millions - thanks to them, Heine-Medin's disease is on the decline. Although there has been no case of polio in Poland for years, infants will still be vaccinated until Heine-Medin disease is completely eradicated. It is essential to get rid of polio completely. Who should be vaccinated against polio and when? What types of polio vaccines are available?

Vaccination against polio(actually: poliomyelitis, widespread childhood paralysis orHeine-Medina disease ), are included in the compulsory vaccination calendar. Until recently, in Poland, vaccinations against poliomyelitis were performed using two methods: Salk inactivated (killed, IPV) vaccine and Sabin's live attenuated vaccine (OPV). From April 1, 2016, in Poland, vaccination against poliomyelitis is carried out only with the inactivated IPV vaccine.

Vaccinating children against polio

Vaccination of children against polio is carried out in accordance with the current vaccination schedule. The first three vaccinations are with the IPV vaccine, the fourth with the OPV vaccine. First, the child gets an injection twice in the first year of life: at the turn of the third and fourth month of life (along with the second vaccination, which takes place at the clinic) and in the fifth month. The child should receive a third booster dose on 16-18. month of life. The last dose is given to the child at the age of 6. Until now, it was an oral vaccine - OPV. From April 1, 2016, it is the IPV vaccine.

Vaccinating adults against polio

Most adults who receive the vaccine as children do not require immunization. Single IPV booster vaccination should be considered in the following risk groups:

  • people traveling to regions of the world where poliomyelitis occurs,
  • lab workers working with polioviruses,
  • he althcare workers who come into contact with a sick or suspected poliomyelitis.

IPV vaccine according to Salk in an injection

IPV vaccine, killed, infants injected. It is completely safe. According to the obligatory vaccination schedule, a child gets it twice in the first year of life: naat the turn of the 3rd and 4th month of life (with the second vaccination, which takes place at the clinic) and in the 5th month. The child should receive a third booster dose on 16-18. month of life. In turn, he receives the fourth - the last - at the age of 6.

Note! IPV vaccine, like any injection, may cause pain, redness or swelling for 2 days after vaccination. This is rare, however, and symptoms resolve within 1-2 days.

The oral Sabina OPV vaccine ceased to be used in Poland in 2016

Live vaccine, OPV, is a vaccine that was administered (orally - was in a liquid) until March 31, 2016. How this vaccine works. Viruses from the live OPV vaccine multiply in the baby's gut, thereby stimulating the baby's body to produce immune antibodies.

With the IPV vaccine, live polio is released into the environment, which is not the case with the IPV vaccination. For this reason, it was decided not to vaccinate with the OPV vaccine in 2016.

As a result, the virus remains in the old man's pile for several weeks. If there is a newborn or small baby unvaccinated against polio in the home, such viruses can be dangerous for him (he may develop paralytic poliomyelitis). Therefore, it is better to avoid vaccinating a preschooler with the OPV vaccine when there is an unimmunized infant or an unvaccinated person in his environment, or a severely immunocompromised person, e.g. during chemotherapy. The advantage of the OPV vaccine is more complete immunity.

Vaccination for polio: vaccination in children

Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site will ease a baking soda compress. It is best to do it immediately after returning home from the clinic. It is enough to put a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of cool water, wet the gauze pad, put it on the leg and bandage the thigh with a regular bandage. The wrap needs to be changed when it is dry (about 1-2 hours). Warning! Do not cover the compress with oilcloth, as it may damage the child's skin.

Polio vaccine: risk of complications

The IPV vaccine is completely safe because it contains inactivated polioviruses. It is recommended for children with immunodeficiency and HIV-positive people.

Local reactions, ie slight redness, pain, hardness or swelling at the injection site, are rare (2-3 out of 1 million doses administered) and last usually 1-2 days. Some children and adults may experience non-specific symptoms such as headache, vomiting,diarrhea. The reasons for their formation have not been explained so far.

Category:

Infectious diseases