As a parent, one of your biggest responsibilities is to protect your child from diseases. So one of the main tools we use to do this is vaccination. We all know how important it is to give your child the vaccines on their immunization card on time. Today we are going to talk about one of the most important of those vaccines, the inactivated polio vaccine, or IPV vaccine, which protects children from polio, a disease that can cause serious disabilities.
What is this IPV vaccine?
Simply put, IPV is an abbreviation for Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine . In Sinhala, it means "inactivated polio virus vaccine". Now you may be wondering what "inactivated" means. That is, this vaccine is made using the polio virus that has been killed (inactivated) in the laboratory . Therefore, when the vaccine enters the body, polio will never develop. However, the immune system in our body recognizes this killed virus and learns to fight against it. So, if one day a real polio virus enters the body, our body is already ready to fight and defeat it. This is like an army training before a war. This vaccine is available in Sri Lanka under brand names like IPOL.
Things to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated
Before your baby gets the IPV vaccine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Immune system problems: Tell your child if they have any immune system problems (for example, HIV infection, cancer treatment, etc.).
- Infection with fever: If your child has a fever or other infection on the day of vaccination, inform the doctor.
- Previous allergies:
- If you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous polio vaccine.
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this vaccine, such as `(2-phenoxyethanol)`, `(formaldehyde)`, `(neomycin)`, `(streptomycin)` and `(polymyxin B)` . (You may not know this, but if you have had a severe reaction to a medicine in the past, tell your doctor .)
- If you have severe allergies to other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Although this vaccine is usually given to children, if it is given to an adult for any specific reason, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
How is the vaccine given? And what to do if you miss it?
This vaccine is given in a hospital or clinic by a trained health professional (such as a nurse). It is given as an injection into a muscle or under the skin . You will usually be given an information leaflet before you are given the vaccine. Read and understand what it says.
The most important thing is to give your baby doses and booster doses on the exact dates according to the schedule on your baby's vaccination card.
What to do if you miss the vaccine?
If for some reason you are unable to get your vaccination on the scheduled date, don't worry. Talk to your midwife or doctor as soon as possible to arrange a new date for your vaccination. It is not a good idea to miss a dose.
Other medications that may interact with this vaccine
If your child is taking medication for another condition, you should also tell the doctor. Some medications can affect the effectiveness of the IPV vaccine.
- Immunosuppressant medications (e.g., adalimumab, anakinra, infliximab)
- Medications for cancer
- Steroid medications (e.g. prednisone or cortisone)
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, inform your doctor about all medications your child is taking, including vitamins, nutritional supplements, Ayurvedic or Sinhala medicines .
What are the possible side effects after the vaccine?
As with any vaccine, minor side effects can occur after the IPV vaccine. However, most of these are not serious. Let's take a closer look at these in the table below.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic Reactions | Symptoms such as skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. These are very rare. If you see anything like this, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. |
| Difficulty breathing | If you have difficulty breathing or feel suffocated. |
| High fever | If the fever is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius). |
| Seizures | If the child has a seizure. |
| Repeated crying/behavior changes | If the child cries inconsolably for more than 3 hours straight or shows a significant change in behavior. |
| Common, non-serious side effects (tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Pain/swelling at the injection site | Redness, bruising, pain, or slight swelling at the injection site. This is normal. It will subside in a day or two. |
| Fussy | The child may be a little restless and crying frequently, unlike usual. |
| Appetite | There may be a slight decrease in interest in eating or drinking milk. |
| Low-grade fever | The body temperature may increase slightly. You can ask the doctor to give you paracetamol liquid. |
| Drowsiness | You may appear a little sleepy rather than alert. |
If you notice any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, it's best to call your doctor for advice.
Remember, no vaccine is 100% effective. However, the IPV vaccine is the best and safest way to protect a child from polio.
Ultimately, fearing a minor side effect from a vaccine and not getting vaccinated is exposing your child to a serious, preventable disease. So, don't be afraid and be responsible and get your child vaccinated.
Take-Home Message
- IPV is a very important and safe vaccine that protects children from the serious disease called polio.
- Because this is a vaccine made from a "killed virus," there is no chance that this vaccine will cause polio.
- Before administering the vaccine, don't forget to tell the doctor about any allergies or other health conditions your child has.
- Minor side effects, such as slight pain at the injection site and a slight fever, are common. They will go away in a day or two.
- If you experience severe symptoms such as a severe allergic reaction, high fever, or seizures, seek medical advice immediately.
- Never skip vaccination dates. Give your vaccinations according to the schedule in your vaccination booklet.
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