How long does it take for the first revaccination of poliomyelitis? Polio vaccination schedule

Poliomyelitis, or infantile spinal palsy, is an acute infectious disease caused by intestinal enterovirus and accompanied by damage to the gray matter of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. The main route of transmission, like all intestinal infections, is fecal-oral, but infection by airborne droplets is also possible.

It is very often asymptomatic, especially active in the autumn and summer months, although cases of infection are recorded throughout the year. There is no specific antiviral treatment for poliomyelitis, the only way to prevent a terrible disease is vaccination.

The poliomyelitis virus is found throughout the world, and has no specific foci. Before the start of active vaccination of the population, the incidence was epidemic. Although the course of non-paralytic forms of poliomyelitis generally has a favorable prognosis, in more severe paralytic forms, defects of varying severity often remain until the end of life. The virus first multiplies in the pharyngeal tonsils and in the intestines of an infected person, and then enters the blood and nerve cells, destroying and killing them.

The death of 25-30% or more of the nerve cells of the spinal cord leads to the development of paresis of varying severity, complete paralysis, and atrophy of the limbs.

In the middle of the last century, two American scientists independently created the first polio vaccines. The first vaccine contained live attenuated viruses and was intended for oral administration, the second - completely killed viruses and was injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously. It is these two types of vaccines that are widely used today to prevent poliomyelitis. Vaccines form immunity to the disease, block infection with wild strains of the virus, their transmission from person to person, and protect both individual individuals and the entire population as a whole (this mechanism is called "herd immunity").

OPV and IPV

OPV is an oral ("live") vaccine against poliomyelitis, which, using a special mini-dropper or a syringe without a needle, is instilled into the mouth, more precisely, on the tongue root of infants or on the surface of the tonsils of older children, where the formation of immunity begins. If the child regurgitates or spits, the administration of the drug is repeated, but only once; in case of repeated regurgitation, the vaccination will be postponed for 1.5 months to avoid overdose. Single dose - 2 to 4 drops of the vaccine. For an hour after the administration of the vaccine, the child, for obvious reasons, should not be watered or fed.

OPV works in a similar way to all other live vaccines. When instilled, the virus from the vaccine enters the intestines, where immunity is formed at about the same level as it would be after poliomyelitis, only without the disease itself. Antibodies are synthesized on the intestinal mucosa, which actively displace wild polioviruses that come from outside, preventing them from multiplying and penetrate deep into the body. During outbreaks of polio, which occasionally occur even in developed wealthy countries, OPV is buried in newborn babies right in maternity hospitals.

IPV is an inactivated ("killed") polio vaccine that contains killed viruses of the pathogen, is injected into the thigh or shoulder and causes the production of antibodies in the blood of the vaccinated person. On the intestinal mucosa, unlike OPV, antibodies and protective cells against the virus are not formed, which until recently was considered a significant disadvantage of inactivated vaccines. Recent studies in which vaccinated IPV and OPV were then given live vaccines that mimic wild virus infection and then estimated the amount of virus excreted in the feces showed that this is not entirely true. The virus entered the intestines of the recipients with approximately the same frequency in both cases.

The choice in favor of OPV vaccination makes practical sense only when faced with a wild virus, which is now relatively rare.

Immunization scheme

According to the vaccination calendar approved in our country, the first three vaccinations are given with IPV, the next - with OPV. This vaccination scheme is considered optimal for the development of stable immunity. In addition to vaccination and revaccination of children, they also give repeated vaccinations against poliomyelitis to the adult population, in case of leaving for areas dangerous for poliomyelitis, or for epidemic indications in the place of residence.

Currently, the following mixed vaccination schedule is used in Russia:

• 6 months - OPV (third vaccination, last);
• 18 months - OPV (first revaccination);
• 20 months - OPV (second revaccination);
• 14 years old - OPV (third revaccination, last).

It is possible to vaccinate only with IPV, in this case, the same intervals are observed as in the mixed regimen, with the only difference that IPV does not require revaccination at 20 months, but requires at the age of 6 years (5 years after the last vaccination according to the main scheme). Such a graph can be visualized as follows:

• 3 months - IPV (first vaccination);
• 4.5 months - IPV (second vaccination);
• 6 months - IPV (third vaccination);
• 18 months - IPV (first revaccination);
• 6 years old - IPV (second revaccination).

The first schedule assumes that the child receives 5 doses of the vaccine until 2 years of age, the second - 4. If the only vaccination regimen is IPV, it is recommended to rely primarily on the instructions for any inactivated polio vaccine. The IPV-only vaccination scheme is used in many countries around the world, for example, in the USA.

If the vaccination schedule gets confused or shifts for some reason, you should not panic, or even more so completely refuse vaccination. A pediatrician or a specialized immunoprophylaxis specialist - immunologist-immunologist will help to form an individual vaccination schedule, the effect of vaccination will be exactly the same. The recommended interval between vaccinations of 45 days is the minimum, but the formation of immunity does not stop with an increase in the interval, i.e. if the second or subsequent vaccinations are missed, vaccination is not started from the beginning, but continues further according to the scheme.

Both vaccines, live and inactivated, are interchangeable, and even more so, vaccines of the same type from different manufacturers are interchangeable.

Contraindications, side effects, VAPP

Although polio vaccination is considered to be one of the most serious links in the overall vaccination schedule, modern vaccines are usually well tolerated and have fewer side effects. In most cases, the vaccine manifests itself as edema, redness, induration at the injection site, weakness, moodiness, and a slight increase in body temperature. Stool disorder is noted in young children. All these post-vaccination manifestations are absolutely normal, do not require treatment and disappear without a trace after a couple of days.

The only serious, fortunately, rather rare complication of vaccination is VAPP (vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis). The risk of developing VAPP is highest after the first vaccination, very rarely - with the second vaccine administration. VAPP proceeds similarly to real poliomyelitis, with paresis and paralysis of the limbs. This complication can occur in children with weakened immunity or in a state of immunodeficiency (for example, HIV-infected, cancer patients) who have serious malformations and severe diseases of internal organs, especially intestines. For all these groups of people, only IPV should be used, the principle of which excludes VAPP.

For an unvaccinated child, there is a possibility of getting the virus in kindergarten from children vaccinated with OPV, by contact through a shared toilet, toys, etc.

When carrying out a collective revaccination against poliomyelitis with live vaccines, unvaccinated children are quarantined for a period of 2 weeks to a month precisely in order to prevent the risk of VAPP. The literature also describes cases of infection of pregnant women or unvaccinated infants from an older child in a family who received OPV. In such cases, it is recommended either to use IPV too, or to observe hygiene especially carefully - not to let children use a common pot, to wash their hands.

People who are allergic to some of the antibiotics it contains should not be vaccinated with IPV. Both types of vaccines are contraindicated for further use in people who have had neurological disorders (encephalopathy, seizures) or a generalized allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema) after the first injection.

It is no secret that mass vaccination at the state level has become the subject of heated discussions in our time. Both sides cite convincing and well-reasoned pros and cons of vaccinations. No experts will be able to make a choice for the worried parents of the baby, but it is logical to assume that serious infections should not be fought against by completely refusing to vaccinate, but by looking for a high-quality vaccine, for example, a polyvalent one. Thus, the child can not be burdened with unnecessary injections, and the polio vaccine can be combined with vaccination against other pathogens.

Polio is a terrible disease caused by an airborne virus. When it enters the body, the poliovirus attacks the gray matter of the spinal cord. As a result, paresis and paralysis are possible. Symptoms of the disease are identical to ARI or ARVI. The virus is resistant to antibiotics. Medical assistance is expressed in rehabilitation, but not all patients will be able to fully recover. At risk for this disease are babies under 5 years old.

All children are vaccinated against polio in accordance with:

• The National Vaccination Calendar;
• individual vaccination schedule;
• peculiarities of the epidemiological environment of the place of stay.

Features of anti-poliomyelitis drugs

Two types of drugs are used for vaccination:

• OPV, a preparation containing live but attenuated poliovirus;
• IPV with inactivated culture (empty virus envelopes).

OPV is produced in Russia, IPV only abroad. Any such preparations contain all three strains of poliovirus. They prepare the body to withstand the "wild" strain.

The need to use a "live" drug to create a protective microflora in the intestine is due to the fact that polioviruses can enter the body with food. The virus dies only during heat treatment. Simply washing the fruit will not be enough to protect against poliovirus; it is well adapted to circulate and reproduce in the environment.

Important: OPV is an oral droplet. When vaccinating babies, there are problems with the dosage - the baby may spit up. The procedure can be repeated in an hour. If the gag reflex worked again, then the second time you can try to get vaccinated only after a month.

Poliomyelitis vaccine is a part of such complex preparations as Pentaxim (Belgium), Infanrix Penta (Belgium), Tetraxim (France) and Imovax Polio (France). As a result, the child, thanks to one injection, is vaccinated against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, and poliovirus.

Polio Vaccination Regulatory Scheme

The Russian vaccination calendar provides for 3 vaccinations and 3 revaccinations. The first two times, in 3 and 4.5 months, IPV is administered. This is a precisely dosed and safe injection that should prepare the body for the administration of OPV, i.e. living polyculture.

The third vaccination at 6 months, as well as the subsequent revaccination at 18, 20 months and 14 years, is performed with OPV.

If vaccination is carried out exclusively with IPV, then a different scheme is used:

• vaccination is performed at 3, 4.5 and 6 months;
• revaccination - at 18 months and at 6 years.

The use of an exclusively inactivated drug is practiced in the United States and parts of European countries.

Individual regimen of polio vaccination

Vaccination is denied when there are such contraindications:

• the child is sick;
• someone from the environment of the little one is sick;
• the patient has an allergy to antibiotics polymyxin B, neomycin, streptomycin;
• there is immunosuppression;
• diagnosed with an immunodeficiency state;
• a history of neurological disorders, there were convulsions;
• there are malignant neoplasms.

After recovery, the vaccination is done according to an individual schedule. At the same time, the effectiveness of immunization is maintained.

It is believed that the safest time for vaccination is a month after the condition has stabilized, i.e. recovery, establishing a stable remission for chronic diseases.

For small children, they try to keep the schedule set by the National Calendar. If the 2nd injection of the vaccine was delivered with a delay of a couple of months, then the 3rd is done 45 days after the injection, and the 1st revaccination will still be at 18 months. It is important to maintain a time gap between vaccination and revaccination - at least 3 months, and between two similar injections should pass at least 45 days.

When the baby was not initially injected with the polio vaccine on time, and the first injection was delivered after 1 year, doctors try to adhere to the vaccination and revaccination intervals established by the National Calendar.

It is necessary that, despite the objective state of health, by the age of 7 the child has received at least 5 doses of the anti-poliomyelitis vaccine.

How many times to vaccinate a child with serious health problems should be decided by doctors: a therapist, immunologist and a specialized doctor who supervises the baby.

Unscheduled vaccination

When it is not known whether the child was vaccinated, and if the vaccine was administered, then it is not known how many times, then the vaccination:

• babies under 1 year old are done according to the terms prescribed in the National calendar;
• for children from 1 year to 6 years old, an injection with an anti-poliomyelitis vaccine is given twice with a minimum interval of 30 days;
• children over 7 years old are given 1 vaccination.

In regions where the epidemiological situation is recognized as unfavorable for this disease, a tour vaccination is carried out. Then the vaccine is given to all residents, regardless of when the vaccine was last administered and how many times. Such campaigns are also carried out on the recommendation of WHO, when the level of vaccinated in a country or a specific area drops to a critical one.

Vaccinating Your Child Against Polio Living and dead water: polio vaccination and its consequences

Polio vaccination is one of the mandatory vaccinations according to the modern vaccination calendar. It is done as early as possible in order to protect the baby from possible infection with this disease.

In the modern world, outbreaks of polio periodically occur in various parts of the world. To completely stop the disease, a mass vaccination of the population of at least 95% is required. This is often not possible, especially in developing countries. One of the vaccination problems inherent in our region is the refusal of the child's parents to be vaccinated due to fear of side effects and insufficient awareness of the disease itself.

To minimize the risk of complications, it is enough to consult with a specialist on the question of which polio vaccine is best given to the baby in each case.

Why is polio dangerous?

Poliomyelitis is a very serious disease with serious consequences. There is no medicine in the world directly for treatment. The only way to protect yourself is by vaccination. The most effective feed is the "live vaccine" against poliomyelitis. This is not an intramuscular injection, it is dripped from a special pipette into the baby's mouth. When it enters the body, the immune system turns on a response, prepares antibodies to fight the disease.

There is another type of polio vaccine called IPV (inactivated polio vaccine). It is introduced into the body as a vaccine. All polio vaccines are called OPV or IPV. They are fundamental in composition, effects on the body and possible risks of complications. But more on that later.

Many infectious diseases, including poliomyelitis, that do not respond to treatment can be prevented by vaccination. Before writing a refusal, if there are any doubts, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. Poliovirus is dangerous with irreversible consequences in the activity of the central nervous system, which is fraught with severe forms of disability. The child has no innate immunity against this disease. If it persists after birth, then it lasts no more than 5 days.

Types of vaccines

For the formation of specific immunity, babies begin to be vaccinated at an early age according to a certain scheme, according to the vaccination calendar approved by the MLO. The scheme involves the vaccine against polio in the form of an injection and a drop (the so-called IPV and OPV).

What are these vaccines and what are their differences? Using a syringe, a non-living, that is, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is injected. With the subsequent repetition of the injection after 45 days. After two IPV shots have been made, the child can be vaccinated with live polio vaccine (OPV) drops, which contain a significantly weakened virus.

Parents should check where they are vaccinated against polio. It is done in the leg (upper third of the thigh). The IPV vaccine can be included in other medications, for example, as a bonus to DPT.

Contraindications

Frightened by the possible complications of vaccination, parents often breathe a sigh of relief when the baby is given a medical challenge for health reasons. Often this is done completely unreasonably on the part of doctors, just to be on the safe side. If the baby has snot at the time of vaccination and there are no more other complaints about the state of health, then vaccination against polio is quite acceptable.

If with a runny nose there are other manifestations of inflammatory processes, for example, upset stools, an increase in body temperature, then it is better to postpone the injection.

• the baby suffers from serious disturbances in the work of the central nervous system;
• at the time of vaccination, there are signs of an acute viral infection;
• the baby has manifestations of allergy (you should wait for the disappearance of its signs or the positive dynamics of relief, if the child is a chronic allergic person);
• "Questionable" clinical analyzes of urine and blood, made on the eve of the vaccination.

The instruction for a specific drug against poliomyelitis provides for its own characteristics of administration and possible side effects. In any case, the vaccine is administered only after the child is examined by the attending doctor, who assesses the child's health, weighs the risks, informs the parents and gives permission to vaccinate. At the same time, one should know that IPV is less reactogenic for a child, while OPV requires more careful attention to the state of the baby's health.

Advantages and disadvantages

Severe side effects from polio vaccination occur no more than 1 in 75,000. Usually both the vaccine and the live drops are tolerated without serious problems. Occasionally, there is a slight increase in temperature, upset stool. In this case, it is necessary to observe the general condition of the crumbs.

It is necessary to contact the doctor if bad sleep is added to the above symptoms, the baby becomes restless, psychomotor disorders are noticed.

Parents who have heard that it is possible to get sick after vaccination have fears of vaccination. This risk really exists, because OPV contains, although weakened, but still live poliovirus, which, under favorable circumstances for it, can begin to develop safely in the body.

At the same time, the question arises, is it possible to get polio from a child vaccinated with a live vaccine? Yes, you can. For several weeks after vaccination, the child carries the infection. As a rule, all children in the family and in the kindergarten group are vaccinated at the same time so that other babies cannot get polio from someone who has been immunized.

At the same time, the positive aspects of mass vaccination of children mainly lie in the prevention of infection and resistance to epidemics.

Adverse Reactions

Most often, polio vaccine is easily tolerated. Acceptable reactions to the polio vaccine include mild fever, upset stool, and short-term general malaise.

If the reaction to the vaccination in a child is pronounced, accompanied by psychomotor disorders, you must immediately contact the doctor or call an ambulance.

After the introduction of the OPV vaccine, the baby is transferred to a mild disease. Therefore, he needs appropriate care, namely, drinking plenty of fluids, sleeping, eating according to appetite, walking in the fresh air.

Is the child contagious and for how long? Yes, and unvaccinated children can get infected from it for several weeks. At this time, it is better to refrain from being in a children's team.

Possible complications

The most serious complication after polio vaccination is infection with a severe course of the disease and, as a result, severe forms of disability. The thing is that the virus infects the structures of the central nervous system, making irreparable changes. For young children, this is much more dangerous than for adults, because the baby is in development, many systems are just being formed and improved. Irreparable consequences relate to delays in mental and physiological development.

But it is encouraging that, as a rule, the polio vaccine is tolerated without any complications. According to statistics, the probability of an unfavorable result when vaccinating with a live vaccine is not more than 1 case out of 75,000. With adequately prescribed therapy, severe forms of paralysis are most often avoided.

Do you have a fever after vaccination?

As with any vaccine, there may be a slight rise in temperature after polio vaccination. This is a natural reaction of the immune system to the penetration of the virus into the body. Such a reaction is more likely the norm than the absence of any manifestations on the part of the body.

Do not forget that vaccination is an opportunity to acquaint the body with the next type of danger and give it the opportunity to develop ways of protection.

The presence of antibodies in the blood, after a series of vaccinations, makes it possible for the human immune system to timely recognize the penetration of foreign microorganisms, to fight the cause of the disease, preventing the spread of the virus and its vigorous activity.

How many vaccinations are given for polio?

One injection is not enough to form strong immunity against poliovirus. The current polio vaccination schedule for children involves several shots of the IPV vaccine, with an interval of 45 days, followed by the introduction of OPV (oral droplets) followed by revaccination.

Komarovsky's opinion

Immunization of children around the world is carried out in order to stop the spread and even eradicate, in principle, many viral diseases. Poliomyelitis is one of the most dangerous diseases, the consequence of which is paralysis. There is a way to protect yourself from it - this is vaccination. In this case, the likelihood of unwanted complications is much lower than the likelihood of infection.

With routine immunization, either a killed or weakened live virus is injected into the body. In this case, the body is able to independently cope with the disease and develop a stable immunity to it.

To reduce the likelihood of complications, vaccination is carried out according to a specific plan. First, IPV is injected into the body, and only after that they are vaccinated with the help of drops. Live drops are necessary to create reliable specific immunity.

Caring for your baby after vaccination

The risk of adverse reactions is significantly reduced with proper care of the child before and after vaccination:

• The vaccine is administered exclusively in the absence of contraindications from the central nervous system.
• It is unacceptable to vaccinate children during the acute phase of a viral infection, the presence of an inflammatory process.
• It is forbidden to administer a live vaccine to a child who has just received antibiotic treatment without a recovery period.

• To reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction, it is possible to use antihistamines (after consultation with the treating doctor).
• After vaccination, the necessary conditions are provided: cool humid air, sleep based on individual needs, antipyretic as needed, the child should not be force-fed, given plenty of water, and allowed to walk in the fresh air.

By weighing the pros and cons of vaccination, each family makes the decision on which their child's future depends. The main advisor to parents in this matter is the doctor, whom the family trusts. But still, general recommendations are approximately the following:

• Parents have every right to familiarize themselves with the instructions for the drug that the polyclinic offers (when it comes to the state program).
• Vaccination alone is not enough to create reliable immunity against poliomyelitis; revaccination is imperative.

• Do not be afraid to give your baby a "live vaccine" if it was preceded by at least 2 injections of an inactivated vaccine, while there were no negative reactions. Oral drops and inactivated vaccine go in tandem. Both are needed for a full course of vaccination.
• In the absence of a threat of infection (for example, leaving or returning from an area where outbreaks of poliomyelitis are observed), vaccination during pregnancy is prohibited.

Vaccinations during pregnancy are a separate topic that requires mandatory consultation with a doctor on a case-by-case basis. The risks for the mother and the fetus, the benefits, are carefully weighed.

Caution for the Unvaccinated

Vaccination against the polio virus is carried out en masse, and in rare cases unscheduled. This is a necessary measure based on the characteristics of the vaccine and the course of the post-vaccination period.

By law, every family has the right to refuse vaccination. Refusal is made in writing. If parents decide to opt out of polio vaccination, they should know that:

• An unvaccinated child can become infected while in a children's team during mass vaccination. The live polio vaccine makes the child infectious for some time (2 weeks).
• Parents and pediatricians have a common goal - the health of the child. At the same time, the doctor takes responsibility for informing the family about the benefits of vaccination, its risks, and the severity of the disease. Unfortunately, the informational component of an immunization campaign is not always carried out at the proper level. What is the reason for the refusal of vaccination.

• The doctor is responsible for examining the child immediately before vaccination, assessing the state of immunity, predicting the consequences, monitoring after vaccination.
• It is not possible to achieve the required level of protection only with an inactivated vaccine. The use of the OPV vaccine can achieve the desired effect.
• To allay fears and doubts, see your doctor. Do not succumb to mass sentiments and categorically speak for or against. Each family makes independent, balanced decisions.

At first glance, the risk of being vaccinated outweighs the likelihood of infection. Indeed, we rarely hear about outbreaks of a particular type of virus. Routine vaccination prevents the spread of the most dangerous diseases. With the advent of vaccines, humanity has managed to overcome many ailments. That is why current trends and propaganda to refuse routine immunization, approved by the Ministry of Health in each specific region, are alarming.

The polio vaccine is a reliable way to prevent severe neurological infection. - a viral infection leading to the development of paralysis, which causes disability for life. There are no drugs that work effectively against the polio virus. Therefore, the only way to reduce the risk of the disease is through vaccination.

In the world, the polio vaccine has been used since 1955, which has allowed many countries to get rid of this disease completely. The virus is no longer circulating in the Americas and Western Pacific regions. Today, only a few countries in Asia and Africa remain a source of infection (especially India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan).

Polio vaccination schedule

Every country on earth has its own polio vaccination schedule. This is due to the varying degrees of risk of meeting the virus, starting from birth. In countries where polio cases are still regularly reported, the vaccine is given on the first day of life.

In Russia, the schedule for the introduction of the vaccine is as follows: at 3, 4.5 and 6 months (these three injections are called vaccination), then at 1.5 years, 20 months and 14 years (these three injections are called revaccination). Such a regimen is used with the introduction of an oral vaccine or with the combined use of oral and inactivated vaccines.

If only an inactivated vaccine is used as a vaccine, then the schedule is as follows: 3, 4.5 and 6 months (vaccination), then at 1.5 years and after 5 years (revaccination).

If, for some reason, the schedule for the introduction of the vaccine is violated (for example, due to the illness of the child), then the timing of the introduction of the vaccine is slightly shifted. The child receives the necessary dose for recovery and then as planned according to the calendar.

Types of vaccines

There are two types of vaccines: the Sebin live oral vaccine (OPV) and the Salk inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Both contain all three naturally occurring polio virus species (1, 2, 3). OPV is produced in Russia, IPV - in other countries, but it is approved for use in the Russian Federation (Imovax-polio). In addition, IPV is a part of the combined vaccine Tetrakok registered in Russia (simultaneous prophylaxis of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis).

Live oral polio vaccine

It was created by Dr. Sebin in 1955. It contains a significantly weakened but live polio virus. It is a red liquid with a bitter taste. It is administered by instillation through the mouth in 2 (4) drops (depending on the concentration of the drug) through a special dropper pipette: in children under one year old, they try to get to the root of the tongue (there is less risk of regurgitation, since the root of the tongue does not contain taste ends), in the older age - on the palatine tonsil. If the child nevertheless spits up, then it is necessary to re-instill the same dose. An hour after instillation, you can neither eat nor drink. The vaccine strain of the virus, getting on the lymphoid tissue (in the area of ​​the root of the tongue and palatine tonsil) and then into the intestine, begins to multiply there. The immune system responds by synthesizing antibodies, which form the body's defenses. Immunity is formed similar to that which is formed when the disease is "real" poliomyelitis. When the body encounters a real polio virus, the existing antibodies are activated, and the disease does not develop (and if it does, then in a mild form, without paralysis).

In addition, children vaccinated with OPV shed the vaccine strain of the virus into the environment (sneezing, coughing, feces) for almost two months. The weakened virus spreads among other children, as if additionally "vaccinating" them. The circulation of such a virus strain displaces the wild (original from nature). It was thanks to this property of the live vaccine that the virus was eradicated on several continents.

Poliomyelitis has always been and remains a serious viral disease, which, during its development, often leaves irreversible consequences. Activating in the body under certain conditions, the infection that has got in affects the nerve cells. This leads to the development of paralysis of varying severity. Mostly children are ill, but in the presence of aggravating factors, adults are also susceptible to the disease. Ultimately, poliomyelitis can result in disability and even death of the patient.

The causative agent is a representative of the intestinal group Poliovirus hominis. It has its own subspecies: strains I, II and III. Statistics show that the majority carry the disease in a mild or asymptomatic form. A pronounced picture with the presence of complications is recorded in 1-1.5% of children, mainly aged from six months to five years. From these facts, it is clear how important timely polio is.

What is the polio vaccine, what it is for and how it works

Vaccination schedule

To protect against poliomyelitis on the territory of Russia, a sequence of vaccinations was approved. Its sequence is as follows: first, two injections are given with inactivated drugs, then with a live vaccine. The procedures are carried out on a state basis and are free of charge. However, if the parents wish, as well as according to the available indications, it is possible to replace the vaccine with a “killed” vaccine, but in this case it will be paid for.

The polio vaccine is produced for children at the age of three months, four and a half, six months.

Revaccinations: at one and a half years, a year and eight months, fourteen years.

There are times when children or adults need an unscheduled immunization. This happens when traveling to regions that are endemic in terms of the disease, and if a monovaccine was previously introduced.

Contraindications and possible complications

The most serious consequence is the infection of immunocompromised children who have received protection with a vaccine with an inactive but viable pathogen. Since the immune system of infants is still imperfect, specific immune protection is achieved with the use of IPV.

Attention! It is prohibited to carry out the initial series of vaccinations with OPV drops!

For IPV, contraindications are:

• Acute infectious pathologies;
• chronic infections during exacerbations;
• individual allergic reaction.

Notes. The manipulation should be carried out after 1 - 2 months from the recovery of the child. In the presence of allergies, a consultation with a pediatric allergist is indicated.

OPV is contraindicated in the following situations:

• if there is a history of neurological pathology;
• at the first vaccination, complications of a neurological nature were observed;
• the presence of tumors and immunodeficiencies;
• if the baby has manifestations of an acute infectious disease.

Important! To avoid negative consequences, it is allowed to vaccinate only healthy children after a thorough medical examination and examination.

OPV has practically no complications, sometimes subfebrile condition and allergies occur, rarely diarrhea, which does not require treatment.

The injectable IPV is usually well tolerated, mainly causing a mild local reaction, but other consequences are possible:

• soreness and hyperemia at the injection site;
• swelling of adjacent tissues;
• subfebrile temperature;
• lethargy and drowsiness;
• irritability;
• rarely - a general reaction of the body with seizures or anaphylaxis.

More than thirty years have passed since the time when, thanks to immunization, poliomyelitis ceased to be endemic in the Russian Federation. In preparing their child for such a procedure, parents should learn the pros and cons of vaccines. Of course, in polyclinics, domestic drugs are used free of charge. Their foreign counterparts in some way can surpass them in the quality of cleaning, cause less negative effects. You have to pay for their introduction. Which means to choose is up to you.