2023-08-17 09:30:00
Health
Published: 8/17/2023 Last updated: 8/17/2023
Published: 8/17/2023 Last updated: 8/17/2023
It is important to vaccinate against polio to avoid complications.
It was announced by the Federal Government that the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) will gradually be replaced by the inactivated version (VIP) starting in 2024. Polio is a highly contagious acute viral disease capable of causing infantile paralysis.
Researchers warn about the high risk of polio resurgence in Brazil. This disease, which has been eradicated in the country since 1989, can cause death or serious motor sequelae.
Stay on the article for more information about the disease, forms of vaccination and risks associated with not vaccinating. Be sure to check it out.
Index:
What does polio cause? What is the difference between the droplet vaccine and the injectable one? How does the vaccine work in the body? Does the injectable polio vaccine react?
What does polio cause?
Most people infected with the poliovirus have no significant symptoms and recover completely without complications. However, in more severe cases, the virus can affect the central nervous system, leading to partial or total muscle paralysis.
This paralysis can result in physical deformities, breathing difficulties and locomotion problems, which can have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Polio-associated paralysis is most common in young children, but it can also affect teenagers and adults. It is a serious condition that requires proper medical attention and, in some cases, rehabilitation to help patients regain their motor function.
Prevention of polio through vaccination is crucial to avoiding these risks and protecting public health. It is essential to raise awareness of the need for immunization against poliomyelitis, following the national vaccination schedule recommended by health authorities.
What is the difference between the drop vaccine and the injectable vaccine?
Vaccination is undoubtedly the main and most effective way to prevent poliomyelitis. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), known as droplet, is marked by the charismatic presence of Zé Gotinha, a character created by the Ministry of Health to encourage child immunization.
In addition to the way it is applied, the main difference between the droplet vaccine (VOP) and the injectable vaccine (VIP) is the type of virus used in its composition.
The oral polio vaccine, also called OPV, is a bivalent oral attenuated vaccine. It is used as a booster at 15 months and at 4 years of age, in addition to being applied annually during national campaigns, aimed at children between 1 and 4 years of age.
A bivalent attenuated oral vaccine is a vaccine that contains two types of live, weakened virus responsible for causing the same disease. In this context, “bivalent” refers to the presence of two serotypes or strains of the virus in a single vaccine.
Regarding the VIP vaccine (Inactivated Poliomyelitis Vaccine), children should receive it according to the vaccination schedule, at 2, 4 and 6 months of life. However, it was recently published that VIP, used as a booster at 15 months of age, replaces the oral form that is currently applied.
According to the Ministry of Health, the booster dose currently used at 4 years old will no longer be necessary. This is due to the fact that the vaccination schedule with four doses of oral vaccine already provides adequate protection against poliomyelitis.
From 2024, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) will be gradually replaced by the injectable vaccine (VIP) as a booster at 15 months of age, thus ensuring efficacy in immunization against the disease. This change aims to improve the effectiveness of the vaccination schedule and strengthen protection against polio in the country.
Read more: Polio vaccine: what is it for and who should take it
How does the vaccine work in the body?
Both vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus, providing effective protection against the disease. VIP (injectable) is made from inactivated poliovirus, which means the virus is treated in a way that it cannot cause disease but can trigger an immune response.
The antibodies now present in the body will be ready to fight the virus if the person is exposed to the poliovirus, preventing it from multiplying and causing the disease.
VOP (droplet) is a live and attenuated virus vaccine. It contains weakened polioviruses, which are able to replicate in human cells. Only in rare cases, the vaccine has the ability to cause the disease, however, in a reduced way.
One of the main reasons for reforming the polio vaccination schedule is to avoid these rare events. For people with weakened immune systems, inactivated vaccines such as VIP are more recommended as they offer protection without the risk of causing disease in people with compromised immune systems.
Read more: How do vaccines work in the body? See how they are made
The reaction injectable polio vaccine?
The injectable polio vaccine is generally safe and well tolerated by most people. However, like any vaccine, there can be adverse reactions. Side effects are mild and temporary in most cases, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.
Some of the most common reactions include:
Pain at the injection site; Redness or swelling at the injection site; Fever; Headache and body ache.
These adverse effects are usually mild and do not require specific treatment. They can be relieved with simple measures, such as cold compresses at the injection site, adequate fluid intake and rest, if necessary.
If more severe or persistent reactions occur, it is recommended to seek medical advice to evaluate and treat any unusual side effects.
The complete eradication of poliomyelitis is a global objective pursued through mass vaccination programs and epidemiological surveillance. Brazil received the certificate of elimination of poliomyelitis in 1994, issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, it is essential to maintain constant vigilance and apply preventive measures to prevent the reintroduction of the virus in the country.
Although polio has been eliminated in much of the world, there are still some countries where the virus continues to circulate. This means that, through international travel, infected and unvaccinated people can bring the virus to disease-free areas, including Brazil.
Therefore, it is extremely important to keep the vaccination schedule up to date. Have you taken a look at yours yet? Do you understand the importance of immunization against polio? Follow the Healthy Minute portal for more information!
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