Polio Vaccine Information

The polio vaccine is a clear example of how sustained immunization plans work over time. Due to this treatment, a disease as serious as polio has almost completely disappeared from all over the world.

This simple, inexpensive and proven method has allowed us to reduce the transmission of the virus in communities to both children and adults. What does it consist of? How do doctors administer the polio vaccine?

Here are the details!

What is polio?

Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by a poliovirus. There are three known types of viruses. One guy has already disappeared and there are no records of new outbreaks. The other two types are still active, but have a low incidence rate due to global vaccinations.

A person gets polio when they come in contact with another infected person or when the virus uses food to move and infect their hosts. This is done by contaminating drinks and food with feces.

Most of those infected are asymptomatic; this means that it shows no signs of disease. However, the condition of those with visible symptoms can progress to serious complications, such as paralysis.

Paralysis: the most severe form

The Sabin vaccine is a live numbing virus immunization. To achieve this, laboratories cause genetic mutations in viral particles to make them less virulent. In this way, after inoculation, they can generate symptoms, but very mild. This does not alter the immunity that the vaccine produces.

A feature of the Sabin vaccine is its ability to replicate in the digestive system. This causes the “herd immunity effect”, because those who have been inoculated expel the numb particles that help immunize the inhabitants of the same household.

The Salk version, as already mentioned, is administered intramuscularly. As with other vaccines, serum enters the muscles. In this case, the viruses are not numb, but are inactive.

The procedure is different and the result varies slightly compared to the Sabin vaccine. The whole intestinal process is missing and therefore this immunization is effective in preventing severe forms of the disease. However, it does not cause herd immunity and does not prevent individuals from carrying the virus in the digestive system.

Who should get the polio vaccine?

Possible side effects of the polio vaccine

In general terms, the polio vaccine has few side effects. Most of those that occur are manifested in the injection site and are related to redness and inflammation.

In the case of the Sabin version of immunization, there may be mild gastrointestinal symptoms consisting of diarrhea, nausea and even fever below 37.5 ° C. The fever goes away on its own and never lasts more than 48 hours.

Some reports have had more severe reactions, including allergies. Fortunately, there are not too many cases and it is estimated that there is an adverse reaction of this type per million inhabitants.

An effective vaccine available worldwide

The polio vaccine is a very effective way to prevent this disease. There are not many diseases in the world that can be avoided so easily if the immunization program is followed.

For this reason, it is essential that the countries of the world intensify their efforts in carrying out this vaccination program. We are very close to the complete eradication of polio globally and it would be a shame not to finish the job we started.

If you have small children, talk to your family doctor about the vaccination schedule. If you are an adult, check your vaccination schedule to make sure you have not missed any doses. Hospital immunization departments have the right information that can be of great help to you.