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The Polio Vaccine Immunization Schedule
There are two(2) types of Polio vaccines given to children in Ghana. This is part of a global initiative to eradicate Polio worldwide. The Polio vaccine provides immunity against the Polio virus. This is done by providing the Polio vaccine through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the National Immunization Days. It is essential for your baby to receive all the vaccines even if the newborn vaccinations are completed.
The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is given at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. It is given as 2 to 3 drops into the mouth. The cheeks are squeezed gently to expose the tongue and the drops are placed on the tongue of the baby from a dropper. At 14 weeks, the Inactivated Polio vaccine is given as an injection in the right thigh.
Why do babies receive 2 different forms of Polio Vaccine?
The Polio virus has 3 main variants which are known to cause paralytic Polio. These 3 variants, Polio 1, Polio 2 and Polio 3 circulate in various parts of the world. The Oral Polio vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and originally contained all three variants. However, it was noticed that Polio outbreaks can occur with this type of vaccine, especially the Polio 2 variant. Presently, the OPV contains only variants 1 and 3 which have a low risk of causing outbreaks. The Inactivated Polio vaccine has the killed organism, contains all 3 variants and does not cause infections. The combination of these two vaccines promotes a high immunity in children against Poliomyelitis.
Your baby will receive boosters of the OPV through the National Immunizations Days (which occurs twice a year) till the age of 5 years. Please insist your child receives the boosters. This improves immunity against the Polio Virus.
A possible side effect of the vaccine is mild diarrhoea. No treatment is needed.
Limitations of the Polio Vaccine
The Polio vaccine is live attenuated, so it can cause Polio infection in other children with low immunity who live in the same house. Newborns with signs of severe immune deficiency may be exempted till they are better.
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is an infection caused by the Polio Virus. The Polio virus is highly infectious, and easily transmitted from one person to another through faecal matter in food or water or even hand to mouth. While most children who get infected do not show any signs, a few develop paralysis of one or more limbs and this is irreversible. The long-term impact of Poliomyelitis on survivors impacts all aspects of life. Before vaccinations became widespread, a lot of children died from Polio and many more became paralysed.
Poliovirus can move easily from one country to another so it's important that every child gets immunized in every country till the Polio virus is completely eliminated worldwide.
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