Vaccination issues are always a stumbling block between healthcare providers and parents. This can also be said if the polio vaccine is meant. It can be carried out either by oral route, or by injection. What are the differences between these types of vaccinations, which is better to choose - we will try to understand the article.
Polio is ...
This disease is today considered quite rare, but not completely eradicated, so it is better to play it safe. Polio is caused by viruses and provokes the development of paralysis, and they lead to disability for life.
This disease can cause respiratory and cardiovascular failure to begin to develop, because paralysis of the muscles involved in the respiratory movements occurs. This condition can ultimately lead to death.
To date, there is still no such medicine that could completely cope with the disease, so the only salvation is the polio vaccine.
In world medical practice, this vaccine has been used since 1955, which allowed many states to completely get rid of this terrible disease. Currently, only a few countries remain sources of this infection.
Varieties of polio vaccines
Now in the arsenal of doctors there are two vaccines that can prevent the onset of the disease.
- Sebin Oral Live Vaccine (OPV).
- Inactivated Salk Vaccine (IPV).
If we talk about the composition of the polio vaccine, then both varieties contain all the viruses of this disease available today - 1, 2. 3. The first vaccine is produced in our country, and IPV in other countries, but its use in Russia is authorized by the Ministry of Health.
The combined vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis "Tetrakok " also has IPV in its composition. It is registered in our country and is widely used.
In pediatric practice, babies begin to be vaccinated from the age of three months. How to use polio vaccines - imported, for example, Imovax Polio, or domestic - you can discuss with your doctor and express your preferences.
Vaccination schedule
Pediatricians have a vaccination schedule that they must adhere to. Each vaccination is done at a certain age. The polio vaccine is no exception. The instruction contains detailed information about this. The first vaccination is given to the baby when he turns three months old. The second dose of the vaccine should be delivered to the child’s body after another month and a half, and then another vaccine is given in another 6 months.
To obtain a stable and reliable effect, revaccination must be carried out, it is done at 18 months and after another two months. The last time a vaccine is to be ingested at the age of 14.
In those countries where the virus that causes this disease is not completely eradicated, they are still vaccinated in the maternity hospital. She is not able to create a long-term immunity, so from two months they begin full-fledged vaccination.
You need to know that only five-fold vaccination can provide reliable protection against this terrible disease. If for some reason the schedule for vaccine entry into the body breaks down, then you should not start all over again, but you can just take the missing vaccinations.
Live polio vaccine
This type of vaccine was created in the mid-20th century by the famous Dr. Sebin. In its composition there is a very weak, but living causative agent of the disease. The drug is a reddish liquid with a bitter taste.
The vaccine enters the human body through the oral cavity, the doctor simply drips a few drops into the child's mouth using a specially designed pipette. Since the vaccine can be of different concentrations, the number of drops is calculated based on this.
It is important to consider that the vaccine should not enter the stomach, otherwise it will simply collapse there and will not have the desired effect. With this in mind, babies are vaccinated on the root of the tongue for up to a year, this area contains almost no taste buds, which prevents possible regurgitation.
Older children drip on the tonsils. If a live polio vaccine is used, the instruction recommends that the vaccination be repeated in case of vomiting or regurgitation in infants. After this vaccination, you can’t eat or drink anything for an hour.
After entering the lymphoid tissue, the virus gradually enters the bloodstream, and with it into the intestines, where it begins to multiply actively. The human immune system begins to respond to a foreign invasion by the synthesis of antibodies, they will form reliable protection against a full-fledged virus. If a person encounters a living strain, the immune system quickly activates the formed antibodies, which suppress the development of the disease.
The polio vaccine (OPV) has the following peculiarity: after vaccination, a couple of months later they release a strain of the virus with exhaled air into the environment when they sneeze, thus “vaccinating” other babies.
Vaccine response
In children after vaccination, the following phenomena can be observed:
- Body temperature may rise slightly. This usually occurs between 5 and 14 days after vaccination.
- Some have a stool disorder, diarrhea or constipation in the first few days.
This reaction to the polio vaccine is the norm and should not scare parents. All these manifestations pass quickly and do not require any treatment.
Complications after vaccination
The polio vaccine can also cause complications. Among them are the following:
- The development of polio on the background of vaccination. This phenomenon is possible if the vaccination is not done according to the rules and with errors, for example, against the background of a child’s infectious disease, malformations, problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
- The development of allergic manifestations in the form of a runny nose, rashes on the skin.
If any suspicious manifestations appear, parents should definitely call a doctor. But most often this vaccine against poliomyelitis has good reviews - children can easily tolerate it.
Contraindications for OPV vaccination
This kind of vaccination can not be done if:
- Diagnosed with HIV.
- There are various tumors in the body.
- Corticosteroids or cytostatics are taken.
- If the family has immunodeficiency patients, then this also serves as a contraindication to vaccination.
If OPV cannot be done, then this does not mean that another type of vaccine will also be contraindicated.
Inactivated vaccine
This type of vaccine was created in 1950 by Solkom. The composition of the polio vaccine of this species is slightly different. It, unlike OPV, contains a formalin-neutralized virus. Release it in a disposable syringe, in which there is a single dose in the amount of 0.5 ml.
Such a polio vaccine is introduced - the instruction informs about it - in the shoulder or thigh, therefore it is not required to follow the drinking regimen or limit the consumption of food.
The entry into the body of dead causative agents of the disease also causes the formation of antibodies, which, when meeting with a living strain, will protect against the development of polio.
How the body reacts to such a vaccination
Despite the fact that this vaccine does not contain live viruses, it can also provoke some reactions of the body. Among them, the following are most often:
- Some have redness at the injection site and a slight swelling.
- Body temperature may also rise slightly.
- The appetite is broken, and there is some concern.
This polio vaccine reviews are positive and is considered safer. Such conclusions are based on the fact that it simply can not provoke the development of vaccine poliomyelitis, is produced in a single dose, so there is no danger of an overdose. The vaccine is in the form of an injection, so it is impossible to regurgitate, as is the case in babies with drops of OPV.
IPV not shown
This type of vaccination is contraindicated in the presence of allergic reactions to certain drugs, these include:
- "Streptomycin".
- Kanamycin.
- "Neomycin."
- "Polymyxin B".
A strong allergy to the previous dose can also serve as a contraindication.
Who is not recommended for any vaccination
Whatever polio vaccine is used, there are such conditions and diseases in which it is contraindicated to be vaccinated:
- The presence of infectious diseases at the time of vaccination. In this case, vaccination is possible only after the body gets rid of the disease and is fully strengthened.
- If there are chronic diseases, then vaccination should be done only during a period of stable remission.
- The reason for refusing vaccination can be the appearance of severe edema, high fever, allergic manifestations after the previous vaccination.
- Bearing a child.
Vaccines against poliomyelitis may have different names, but contraindications must be taken seriously, otherwise there can be no guarantee of the absence of side effects and complications. This applies not only to those that are produced in our country, but also to imported ones.
Until this terrible disease is completely eradicated on the globe, the vaccination problem will remain relevant. Recently, in literature, on the Internet, you can find a huge amount of conflicting information. Some argue that vaccination is harm, and supporters of another theory - that they are a panacea for terrible diseases.
It is not surprising that in recent years, many parents began to refuse any vaccinations. The polio vaccine also falls into this category. Of course, everyone decides to get vaccinated or refuse it - for himself.
But everyone should be aware that refusal of vaccinations can lead to serious consequences if a virus that causes serious illness occurs on the way. I would like to advise: before making your choice in favor of vaccination or against it, you need to carefully study this issue and weigh the pros and cons.
And it is better to consult with a competent specialist, and not read reviews on the Internet, then you will not have to regret your decision. Be healthy and take care of your children, remember that their health is in your hands.