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The polio vaccine, also known as VIP or OPV, is a vaccine that protects children from 3 different types of the virus that cause this disease, popularly known as infantile paralysis, in which the nervous system can be compromised and lead to paralysis of limbs and motor changes in the child.
To protect against polio virus infection, the recommendation of the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Immunization Society is to give 3 doses of the VIP vaccine, which is the vaccine given by injection, up to 6 months and that another 2 doses of the vaccine be taken until the age of 5, which can be either orally, which is the VOP vaccine, or injectable, this being the most suitable form.
When to get the vaccine
The vaccine against childhood paralysis should be made from 6 weeks of age and up to 5 years of age. However, people who have not had this vaccine can get vaccinated, even in adulthood. Thus, the complete vaccination against polio must comply with the following schedule:
- 1st dose: at 2 months through injection (VIP);
- 2nd dose: at 4 months through injection (VIP);
- 3rd dose: at 6 months through injection (VIP);
- 1st reinforcement: between 15 and 18 months, which can be through oral vaccine (OPV) or injection (VIP);
- 2nd reinforcement: between 4 and 5 years, which can be through oral vaccine (OPV) or injection (VIP).
Although the oral vaccine is a non-invasive form of the vaccine, the recommendation is that preference be given to the vaccine in the form of an injection, because the oral vaccine is composed of the weakened virus, that is, if the child has any immunological alteration, there may be activation of the virus and result in the disease, especially if the first doses have not been taken. On the other hand, the injectable vaccine is composed of the inactivated virus, that is, it is not capable of stimulating the disease.
However, if the vaccination schedule is followed, the use of the VOP vaccine as a booster during the vaccination campaign periods is considered safe. All children up to 5 years old must participate in the polio vaccination program and it is important that parents bring the immunization booklet to record the vaccine administration. The polio vaccine is free and offered by the Unified Health System, and must be applied at health centers by a health professional.
How the preparation should be
In order to take the injectable vaccine (VIP), no special preparation is necessary, however, if the baby receives the oral vaccine (OPV), it is advisable to stop breastfeeding up to 1 hour before, to avoid the risk of golfing. If the baby vomits or golf after the vaccine, a new dose should be taken to ensure protection.
When not to take
The polio vaccine should not be given to children with weakened immune systems, caused by diseases such as AIDS, cancer or after organ transplantation, for example. In these cases, children should go to the pediatrician first, and if the latter indicates immunization against polio, the vaccine should be made at Special Immunobiological Reference Centers.
In addition, vaccination should be postponed if the child is ill, with vomiting or diarrhea, as vaccine absorption may not occur, and it is also not recommended for children who developed polio after administration of any of the vaccine doses. .
Possible side effects of the vaccine
The childhood paralysis vaccine rarely has side effects, however, in some cases, fever, malaise, diarrhea and headache may occur. If the child begins to show symptoms of paralysis, which is an extremely rare complication, parents should take the child to the hospital as soon as possible. See what are the main symptoms of polio.
In addition to this vaccine, the child needs to take others such as, for example, the vaccine against Hepatitis B or Rotavirus, for example. Get to know the complete baby vaccination schedule.