Vaccination against polio can protect a child, and then an adult, from the worst infection that often leads to disability. Effective methods of treating this "contagion" by science have not been invented until now, and the center of infection is increasing at lightning speed, absorbing entire countries, not so long ago even continents.
Why do you need a polio vaccine?
Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus (there are 3 types). The central nervous system is damaged, often resulting in paralysis. If the work of the respiratory system is disrupted, then death.
Today the problem is solved on a global scale, but only due to mass vaccination. There were dangerous areas in Africa and Asia (by the way, Ukraine recently shot, which was a shock for Europe). In countries where the health care system is practically undeveloped, international organizations work, but they cannot ensure full coverage of the territory.
Since there is no way to cure the disease, the only way out is vaccination.
Modern vaccinations guarantee the development of immunity in humans to all three types of virus, while the risk of getting serious complications after vaccination is minimized.
Benefits of vaccination:
- Full immunity until the end of life, subject to complete the course;
- Passive vaccination. The introduced strain of the virus is excreted orally by another 30 days; therefore, the surrounding infection is infected with a weakened infection, producing immunity already in itself;
- Security. The percentage of complications is negligible, however, despite this, the vaccine is constantly being finalized. The goal of scientists is to eliminate the side effect at all;
- Availability. The legislation of the Russian Federation provides for the free distribution of the drug in the required quantities for full vaccination of the population. So it was from the time of the USSR, it remains today.
Types of vaccines and principle of action
Today in the world there are 2 types of vaccines that contain all 3 viruses.
OPV - Live Oral Polio Vaccine
Developed in 1955 by an American scientist. It is a red bitter fluid, consisting of live, but very weakened poliomyelitis virus. Introduced by instillation into the oral cavity (the root of the tongue in the younger, between the lip and gum in older children).
Depending on the concentration of a particular ampoule (manufacturers can vary this indicator), you need from 2 to 4 drops. It helped to conquer the disease on the whole continent in a relatively short time.
Operating principle:
- The virus enters the intestine, starting to multiply;
- The immune system reacts to this process, producing antibodies to the intestinal mucosa and blood;
- About 30 days there is an active release of the virus through the oral route. Infected around (passive vaccination). At the same time, the chances of a vaccinated wild virus are reduced to zero. This is actively used in problem areas, using zero vaccination immediately after birth. She will not give immunity, but will save the child from the disease before the first vaccination;
- A weakened virus cannot create problems for the immune system, so it is defeated. The next time the immune cells thus formed will work faster and more efficiently.
IPV - Inactive Polio Vaccine
Developed in the same America, but a little earlier - in 1950. This is a liquid for injection, containing a certain number of killed viruses of three types. Packed in disposable syringes (one dose per syringe). Inserted into the femoral tissue or shoulder. More secure, but does not give a passive effect.
Operating principle:
- Deadly pathogens are injected into the blood;
- The body responds appropriately to them - antibodies are produced;
- In the intestine, the synthesis of immune cells does not occur.
This type of vaccine is approved for children with HIV, as it cannot cause the disease even in a mild form.
Polio vaccination schedule for children
In our country there is a regulatory document - the national immunization schedule, which describes in detail the procedure for mandatory vaccination of the population. It was drawn up according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, but each government may vary somewhat with the timing and type of vaccines, so the schedule for different countries may vary significantly. Consider a few examples.
Russia
We have the following order:
- 3 months old - IPV;
- 4.5 months - IPV;
- 6 months - OPV;
- 18 months - OPV;
- 20 months - OPV;
- 14 years - OPV.
The first two times the inactive vaccine is introduced, which is absolutely safe for the child. Then, in order to develop a strong immunity, a weakened virus acts on the prepared organism.
But not everyone is allowed live vaccination, so there is a schedule for vaccination against poliomyelitis using only killed "contagion":
- 3 months;
- 4.5 months;
- 6 months;
- 18 months;
- 6 years.
Production of live vaccine exists in our country, IPV is fully imported. Therefore, the Ministry of Health officials are in no hurry to follow the new trends - to use only the dead virus, as this will turn out to be quite expensive across the country.
At the same time, it is even scientifically proven that in children vaccinated exclusively with IPV, a strong immunity is formed in the same way as when using OPV.
Belorussia
For our neighbors, the level of medicine is considered one of the best among the countries of the former Soviet Union, but the polio vaccine schedule is geared towards the United States. Used exclusively IPV:
- 3 months;
- 4 months;
- 5 months;
- 7 years.
Cases of the disease are not recorded for the entire time of independence, so that conclusions about the effectiveness of the system suggest themselves.
Germany
This country is taken as an example of good European medicine. So, the schedule (used exclusively IPV):
- 2 months;
- 3 months;
- 4 months;
- From 11 to 14 months;
- From 15 to 23 months. This revaccination is not obligatory and is appointed in case of need by the decision of the family doctor;
- From 9 to 14 years;
- From 15 to 17 years.
USA
In this country, the vaccine has been developed, so it makes sense to get acquainted with their calendar (used exclusively IPV):
- 2 months;
- 4 months;
- From 6 to 18 months by a doctor’s decision;
- From 4 to 6 years;
However, there is no age limit for late arrival. Rule one - before the age of 18, children should be vaccinated 4 times.
Poliomyelitis Vaccine Response
Complications here are extremely rare, much more often the child’s body exhibits a normal reaction, which many parents attribute to complications. 
What can a child have after vaccination?
After OPV:
- No reaction;
- Increased temperature (up to 38 degrees) after 3 days and up to 14 days after instillation;
- Upset stool for a couple of days;
- 1 case for two and a half million infections of the disease.
After IPV:
- No reaction;
- Local allergic reaction at the injection site;
- Reduced activity and appetite for several days.
Hence the conclusion: the IPV vaccine is safer and guarantees complete immunity.
The myth that OPV gives a stronger immunity has long been debunked, and our officials support it in view of economic feasibility (this applies to almost all CIS countries).
What to do if the timing of vaccination is missed?
You can skip the polio vaccine for many reasons. For example, the most common:
- The child was sick or recovered after the illness;
- Progressive allergic manifestations (acute period);
- There was simply no vaccine at the local clinic (this is rare, but it also happens);
- Negligence of medical workers or parents, and many others.
To succumb to panic in such cases is not worth it, nothing terrible happened. There is a specific order of actions:
- Missing the first vaccination:
- Children under 6 years old do it twice with a break in a month;
- After 6 years - once;
- If the second vaccination is missed, then just it is done later and that is all;
- The third and fourth also does not require any additional funds, the doctor shifts the schedule.
The basic rule is that the total number is 5 pieces of IPV up to 14 years or 4 OPV with two IPV. Unplanned revaccination is possible in the event of an outbreak of the disease, as was done in Ukraine, where, in 2 months, everyone was vaccinated up to 12 years, despite the schedule.
Contraindications for vaccination
There is a strict set of recommendations on this. Polio vaccination is prohibited if:
- A child has HIV or there are such patients in his immediate environment. Weak immunity can cause the disease itself, which is practically not treated;
- She is undergoing chemotherapy or similar drugs. In this case, the period shifts by 6 months after the end of treatment;
- Presence in the family of a pregnant woman;
- There are infectious diseases (acute respiratory infections, flu, and others) or an acute phase of chronic illness. Vaccination is allowed after recovery;
- Intolerance to several types of antibiotics:
- Streptomycin;
- Neomycin;
- Polymyxin B;
- The manifestation of side effects after a previous vaccination (fever, allergies, severe indigestion).
- The presence in the family of a newborn (or adult) not even vaccinated with IPV. This contraindication applies to cases of planned OPV vaccination. This must be strictly followed by parents.
You should not fear polio vaccine, problems with it are extremely rare, but the disease itself is one of the worst on the planet.
An interesting explanation from the doctor about the polio vaccine is in the next video.
