Polio vaccine is given in order to prevent the polio disease. It is administered via injection (IPV) or orally (OPV). It is mandatory that all children are vaccinated against Polio.
OPV: This is the polio vaccine, primarily given. It is taken up orally and consists of a non wild strain of the virus which is inactivated and is more efficient in producing antibodies within the body.
OPV has one recommended dose after which an individual only takes it when he or she is at risk.
Who is given the OPV vaccine?
1.Infants between the age 2-6 weeks and all unimmunized children up to the age of 18 are ideal candidates for the polio vaccine administration.2.Adults should take up the polio vaccine if and when they travel to high risk countries.
How it works
The IPV vaccine helps produce antibodies in the blood stream and the OPV vaccine produces antibodies in the intestine. OPV is more effective and is currently being employed in eradicating polio in the world.
Common side effects
There can be mild side effects on being administered the TB injection. These are: 1.The BCG injection scar: A few weeks after the shot has been administered, a scar about 7mm wide will come up at the site of the TB injection. 2.High Fever on the night of the BCG vaccination. 3.An abscess at the injection site.