World Polio Day - Know Importance Of It!

Polio is a potentially fatal infectious disease that causes paralysis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the illness. However, there are effective and safe vaccines to prevent it. Polio vaccines are given multiple times to protect a person for life. Every year, World Polio Day is celebrated o October 24 with the objective of making the world free from this crippling disease. The strategy is to eradicate polio by preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops. 

Polio Vaccine: What You Must Know About Your Child’s Immunizations

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every child and infant gets vaccinated against poliomyelitis or polio. A shot of inactivated IPV (polio vaccine) is given in the arms or the leg, depending on the child’s age. Oral vaccines are also administered. 

Every child should receive four doses of the vaccine, one dose at each of the following stages –

• 2 months

• 4 months

• 6-18 months

• 4-6 years

Sometimes, IPV may be administered in a combination vaccine along with other vaccines. In this case, the child might have to receive an additional dose of IPV, which is completely safe.

Children travelling abroad where the risk of polio is slightly higher should complete the cycle of vaccination before leaving. In case the child is unable to complete the cycle, an advance schedule is recommended as follows –

• 1 dose when the child is 6 weeks old or above

• A second dose after 4 weeks of the first one

• A third dose after 4 weeks of the second one

• A fourth dose after 6 months of the third one

If the advance schedule cannot be fulfilled before leaving, the remaining doses must be administered in the foreign country, or after returning to the home country, at the recommended intervals. Additionally, children, who have completed the advance schedule successfully, should receive an IPV dose at age 4 or above, as long as it has been six months since the previous dose. 

Who Should Avoid Getting Vaccinated?

You should avoid getting your child vaccinated against polio under the following circumstances –

• You might have to think it over if your child has ever had an allergic reaction following an IPV dose, or if he/she is severely allergic to any part of the vaccine. Ask your healthcare provider about the components of the vaccine.

• You might have to discontinue the dosage if your child or infant has moderate to severe illness. You should wait until they recover completely before taking them for the vaccine. 

Immunization against poliovirus is necessary for everyone to live a long and healthy life. The vaccines are the only way to protect you against the perilous disease and prevent its adverse effects. Make sure you do not miss out on your child’s vaccination schedule. Visit your doctor if you are unsure of when to delay or avoid vaccination.