You may have seen the name "Polio" in the book that the doctor gives you when you give your little one their vaccinations. You may have heard your mothers and grandmothers talking about this disease in fear. What exactly is polio? Why is the vaccine so important for our children? Today, we will talk about all this in a very simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is polio?
Polio is a very dangerous infection caused by a virus. If this virus enters our body, it can directly attack our nervous system, which is the system that carries messages that control the entire body. The most dangerous thing about this is that it can cause some children to lose their limbs for life, that is, to become paralyzed .
This virus is spread through water or food contaminated with the feces of an infected person. It can also be spread through droplets of saliva released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Most people do not show symptoms. However, some people may experience fever, body aches, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting. However, about 1 in 200 people who become infected develop paralysis. About 1 in 10 people who develop paralysis die from respiratory failure.
The importance of the polio vaccine
Since we don't hear much about polio these days, some might wonder, "Why are we still giving vaccines for this?" But the truth is, it's because of vaccines that we don't even hear about this disease today.
If you ask your grandparents, they will tell you how scared people were of polio in the past. A child would suddenly lose an arm or a leg, and some would be unable to walk for the rest of their lives. Back then, parents were afraid to let their children go outside or even play with other children.
That fear almost disappeared after a scientist named Jonas Salk discovered this vaccine. Thanks to vaccination programs, this disease has been eradicated from many countries in the world, including our own country, Sri Lanka.
However, this disease is still present in some countries of the world. Therefore, if someone visits that country and comes back, this disease can spread again. Vaccination is the only and best way to protect our children and the entire society from this dangerous disease.
Two types of vaccines: IPV and OPV
There are two types of polio vaccines. It's good to know a little about this.
| Type of vaccine | Description |
|---|---|
| Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) | This is made from killed (inactivated) polio virus. This is an injectable vaccine. There is absolutely no chance of getting sick from this. This is the safest vaccine currently used in many countries, including Sri Lanka. |
| Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV) | This is made from a weakened live virus. This is a type of drop that is given by mouth. This was widely used in the past. However, very rarely (about one in 2.7 million) there was a small risk that this weakened virus could become strong and cause the disease. Therefore, for safety reasons, they have now switched to the IPV vaccine. |
Your baby's vaccination schedule
According to the National Immunization Program in Sri Lanka, every child is given several doses of the polio vaccine (IPV) at the appropriate ages. These dates are noted on your child's vaccination card. It is very important to administer the vaccine on time and not miss any of these dates.
The following are the age ranges for which a child is usually given the IPV vaccine:
- At 2 months of age
- At 4 months of age
- At 6 months of age
- At 18 months of age (one booster dose)
- At age 5 (another booster dose)
These can be given at the same time as other vaccines (for example, the pentavalent vaccine). Your family health worker or doctor will tell you more about this.
Do adults also need the polio vaccine?
Generally, adults in Sri Lanka do not need to get this vaccine again. Because we all got this vaccine when we were young. However, in some special cases, adults also need to consider this vaccine.
- If you are traveling to a country where polio is still present.
- If you work in a laboratory that works with samples that may contain the polio virus.
- If you are a healthcare worker who works closely with polio infected patients.
If you are one of these people, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor and get advice.
Are there any side effects of the vaccine? Is it something to be afraid of?
The IPV vaccine is a very safe vaccine . Serious side effects are rare. Minor ones may occur. But don't worry about them.
- There may be some redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site .
- You may feel a slight fever .
- The baby may be a little irritable, drink less milk, and sleep more than be alert .
All of these symptoms usually go away completely within a day or two. There are a few things you can do during this time:
- Place a clean cloth soaked in cold water on the swollen area where the injection was given.
- If your baby's body seems hot, wipe it with lukewarm water .
- Give the baby more water and fluids .
- Ask your doctor if you can give him a paracetamol syrup for pain or fever, if necessary.
Rarely, a child can have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a vaccine. This can cause difficulty breathing, hives, and loss of consciousness. If this happens , take them to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately. But remember, this is very, very rare.
Take-Home Message
- Polio is a dangerous disease that has no cure, but is completely preventable with a vaccine.
- The IPV vaccine currently given in Sri Lanka is very safe. Since it is made from a killed virus, there is no chance of the vaccine causing the disease.
- Make sure your child gets all the doses of the polio vaccine at the appropriate ages. This is the biggest investment you can make in your child's future.
- By vaccinating your child, you are not only protecting your child, but also other children who cannot get vaccinated, and the entire community, from this disease.
- If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine or its side effects, never be afraid to ask your family health worker or doctor.
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