Polio is an ailment that can lead to irreversible consequences. The only preventative measure for this disease is vaccination. Vaccinations of OPV and IPV should be given to children necessarily. Today we will find out how these abbreviations are deciphered, why some parents are against immunization and how they argue their refusal to use vaccines. We’ll also find out what doctors think about vaccinating children, including vaccination with OPV.
What is poliomyelitis?
This is a viral infection, as a result of which the central nervous system (the gray matter of the spinal cord) is affected, which subsequently leads to paralysis. The source of the onset of the disease can be a clearly ill person, or one who is the carrier of the disease, but you can’t say that he is affected. Polio is transmitted by droplet, fecal-oral route.
The most susceptible to this infection are children aged 3 months to 5 years.
It is difficult to cure this problem, but you can prevent its occurrence. For this, it is necessary to vaccinate children on time. A vaccine that has been used successfully against polio is an OPV vaccine. It is mandatory for all children, but some parents refuse to make it for their babies. At the end of the article we will understand why they do this.
OPV vaccination: abbreviation
These three letters of the drug indicate the capitalization of the vaccine name. They are deciphered as an “oral polio vaccine.” Oral - this means that the drug is administered through the mouth.
The drug is produced in Russia. It is produced at the Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitis. M.P. Chumakova RAMS.
Types of vaccines
To prevent this infectious disease, 2 types of drugs are used:
- The OPV vaccine contains attenuated modified live polioviruses. This vaccine is a solution (drops) for instillation into the mouth.
- IPV is an inactivated polio vaccine. This includes killed pathogens. This vaccine is a solution for intramuscular administration.
Why do you need to do both types of vaccinations?
Until 2010, Russia was vaccinated against this dangerous disease only with the help of IPV, that is, an inactivated drug. At that time, the country had a favorable epidemiological situation. But in 2010 in Tajikistan there was an outbreak of this disease, which also affected Russia. Then 1 person died in the country. As a result, the government decided on mixed vaccination. Now in the first year of life, babies are given IPV, then OPV. Revaccination in older children is carried out only with a live vaccine.
How does drop immunization work?
A solution for a procedure such as OPV polio vaccination is a pink liquid with a salty-bitter taste. Drops are ordered in the mouth:
- For babies up to 2 years - on lymphoid tissue in the throat.
- Children over 2 years old - on the tonsils.
There are no taste buds in these places, so boys and girls do not feel bitterness.
Liquid is instilled by a nurse using a disposable plastic dropper with a syringe. The dosage of the drug may be different, depending on the concentration of the vaccine used. So, a health worker can apply 2 or 4 drops.
Sometimes babies spit up the drug. In this case, the procedure must be repeated. If after the second time the child spits up, then the nurse does not make the third attempt.
The OPV vaccine given does not allow eating and drinking within an hour after vaccination.
Scheme of drug administration
This method of preventing infectious disease is done according to such a plan:
- At the age of 3, 4, 5 and 6 months.
- Revaccination is carried out at 18, 20 months, and then at 14 years.
Worsening health after vaccination
OPV - vaccination, complications after which are practically absent. In isolated cases, a small patient may experience such negative consequences as:
- An increase in body temperature.
- Increased stool.
Typically, these symptoms disappear on their own within 2 days after vaccination, so no treatment is required.
The temperature after vaccination with OPV may not increase at all or fluctuate between 37.5–38 degrees. Pediatricians are sure that there is no need to worry about this, unless it is accompanied by additional serious reactions.
Hyperthermia (overheating) may appear 2-3 hours after vaccination, as well as 2 or 3 days after the drug is ingested. This temperature can persist from 3 days to 2 weeks. If at the same time the baby is active, nothing bothers him, then you do not need to bring down her. If the child is tearful, lethargic, then the use of funds for fever is possible.
Drug components
The composition of the vaccine against OPV poliomyelitis is as follows:
- Attenuated virus strains of the first three types of ailment grown on African green monkey kidney cell culture.
- The stabilizer is magnesium chloride.
- Preservative - kanamycin sulfate.
The tool is sold in 10 or 20 doses.
Contraindications
OPV vaccination is not carried out in such cases:
- In immunodeficiency conditions, including HIV, oncological diseases.
- With weakened immunity, as well as if there are people with infectious diseases in the family.
- With neurological complications from previous OPV vaccinations.
With caution and only under the supervision of a doctor, vaccination is performed for problems with the intestines and stomach.
Rare adverse reactions after OPV
There are situations when this vaccine leads to such a negative consequence as infection with polio. This may be, but it is observed very rarely, somewhere around 1 case per 3 million people. This situation can happen for one reason: if the OPV vaccine is given to a baby who has an immune system disorder. For this reason, in countries where polio has been defeated, IPV is given as part of a routine vaccination, that is, injections. But if a person goes to another country where there is a risk of contracting this disease, then he is better off doing OPV. This vaccine creates a stronger immunity to the disease.
Vaccination preparation
Vaccination with OPV and IPV requires preparing the child for it. For this baby you need to show the pediatrician. The specialist carefully examines the child, listens to him, checks his throat, wonders if there are sick family members at home. If everyone is healthy, then the pediatrician gives directions for vaccination.
Before and after vaccination, the child should not be fed and watered for 1 hour. This is necessary so that the vaccine is better absorbed by the child's body.
Adverse Reactions After IPV
Since this vaccine is inactivated, this means that it will never lead to infection of the baby with polio. Unlike OPV. True, in that case, infection can occur extremely rarely. As for complications, sometimes local children may experience a local reaction. Some may lose their appetite, decrease activity. But these are non-dangerous changes that take place on their own.
DTP
This is another type of prevention of infectious diseases, as is the OPV vaccine. The decoding of these four caps is simple - the adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. DTP is done to babies starting at 3 months. Just like OPV. The drug is administered intramuscularly in the shoulder.
Complex vaccination
In Russia and Ukraine, vaccination with DTP, OPV is usually done routinely. The only exceptions are those cases when the child is vaccinated according to an individual schedule. Experts note that the joint vaccination against polio, pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria helps to develop a strong immunity. The doctor can give a direction to a complex injection with one of these drugs: Pentaxim, Infarix Geksa. Or inject the drug with two different vaccines at the same time. For example, it can be such drugs as Infarix + Imovax.
Despite the fact that complex vaccination is very good, nevertheless, the decision on such vaccination must be taken on an individual basis due to the fact that DTP itself has a strong burden on the body.
ADSM
This is a modification of the DTP vaccine, but without a component like the pertussis vaccine.
It turns out that after 4 years this disease is not deadly. Therefore, any parent can decide, together with the doctor, what kind of vaccination a child should do after 4 years - DTP or ADSM.
This vaccine is used in relation to adults (an injection is made every 10 years), as well as to children who have contraindications for DTP. The vaccine ADSM, OPV can be supplemented at the same time. This modification of DTP is an ampoule solution for injection. The vaccine is given intramuscularly. Optimal places for injections are: thigh, shoulder, place under the shoulder blade. It is not recommended to introduce the drug into the buttock, since the patient may subsequently become inflamed with the sciatic nerve or the agent will enter the subcutaneous fat. The vaccine ADSM, OPV is done by a specialist only after examining a pediatrician. Adverse reactions from diphtheria and tetanus vaccines can be:
- Fever.
- Vagaries, nervousness.
- impaired appetite.
- Problems with a chair.
Negative Vaccine Opinions
OPV vaccination reviews are mixed. Some mothers think that after vaccination the child will become sensitive to the disease and will be able to quickly pick up this ailment - polio. In fact, this will never happen. That's why vaccination is needed to protect both himself and the child from a dangerous disease called polio. Some mothers praise the vaccine, others criticize. Those who did not like the effect of the drug against polio note that there are consequences from the droplets. Some children begin to act up, they lose their appetite, problems with stool begin. The appearance of such negative consequences can provoke an OPV vaccine. Temperature, trembling in the body - this can also be observed in the first 2 days after vaccination. These symptoms need only to be waited, they themselves must pass.
But there are also mummies who are sure that after vaccination with OPV, children begin to suffer from acute respiratory viral infections. For some reason, parents are convinced that this particular vaccine contributed to the illness of the child. However, this is actually not the case. No immunization, including with the help of polio drugs, can weaken the protective functions of the body. And the fact that after vaccination the kids get sick is the problem of the parents. Perhaps mom and baby were in the clinic for a long time. In the meantime, they were waiting for their turn for vaccination, the child was in contact with other babies who might not have been healthy. Indoors, viruses and bacteria multiply rapidly and it is in hospitals that boys and girls most often become infected. And so that there are no consequences, you need to temper your child so that no virus sticks to him after he is given the right drug, that is, a vaccination is given. People who have experienced low-quality vaccines are also against OPV. That, they say, after vaccination, the child became ill, vomiting began, loose stools appeared, the temperature rose, and the child was taken to the hospital. To avoid this, you need to use the tips below.
Important notes for parents
If some mothers are afraid that their babies should not have any consequences after vaccination, then you should follow these recommendations:
- Be sure to ask about the quality of the vaccine, the date of its production, storage conditions.
- Any mother should know about the health status of her child before deciding on an immunization. If the baby is sick or has been ill a week ago, then dripping droplets is prohibited. An OPV vaccine should only be given to a completely healthy baby.
- After vaccination, you must give your son or daughter an anti-allergic drug.
- If possible, then come for immunization with the whole family. Let dad and baby walk on the street while mom will stand and wait for her turn. So the likelihood of catching the virus in the clinic is reduced, and the baby will perfectly tolerate OPV vaccination.
Positive feedback from people
Vaccination with OPV is not only disapproving, but also flattering. In general, there are more positive responses than negative ones. So, those mothers who brought a healthy child to the clinic for immunization against polio note that the procedure is painless. The child is not afraid, does not cry, does not worry about the fact that droplets are dripping to him. And mothers feel good, because they will not need to reassure their son or daughter. An OPV vaccine is not an injection that scares many kids.
Many more parents note that with proper child care, there will be no side effects from the polio vaccine . And it really is true. For the most part, the children tolerate this vaccine perfectly.
Vaccination is a prerequisite on the way to the health of the nation.
Doctors opinions
Pediatricians are sure that there is no better prophylaxis against polio than vaccination. Therefore, doctors are constantly trying to convince parents that vaccinations are not dangerous. The threat to the child is posed by the parents themselves, who, having read false information in the newspapers or having heard from their friends about the dangers of immunization, write refusals to instill children. You never need to listen to untruthful stories, draw conclusions based on inaccurate data. It is necessary to vaccinate a child, and any doctor will say this. The only question is when to do it. If the boy or girl is sick, then any doctor will postpone the question of immunization for later.
Pediatricians say: so that there are no consequences after vaccination, parents should also help them. How? At the reception, it is necessary to talk about possible health impairments: a runny nose, cough, and other symptoms of a viral infection.
Conclusion
Polio is a dangerous infectious disease that can lead to paralysis. It is important to instill a child in time so that he has immunity to this ailment. Therefore, a timely visit to the pediatrician, parental consent to vaccination is the right way to the health of our children. OPV vaccination is the main measure to prevent a disease such as polio. And it is desirable to do it to all children, according to indications.