Polio Vaccine

ANTI-POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE

The Disease

Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by a virus.

Symptoms include fever, general malaise, nausea, vomiting, sometimes the nervous system is attacked often with permanent paralysis.

It is transmitted by direct contact with and infected person's throat secretions and stools, and sometimes through food or contaminated water.

How to protect oneself?

Sabin vaccine is an oral vaccine which ensures good protection in 95% of vaccinated people.

Salk vaccine is given by injection and ensures protection in 99% of vaccinated people.

Possible Side Effects and Countermeasures

1. There are usually no side-effects with Sabin and Salk vaccines.

2. Following Sabin oral vaccine, it is not impossible that vaccinated people or people in contact with the vaccinated person develop paralytic disease. For the vaccinated person the risk is 1 case in 12,2 million. For contacts, the risk is 1 case in 3,2 million. Poliomyelitis itself causes this complication once every 100 cases.

Poliomyelitis virus is normally found in the stools of orally vaccinated people, for approximately four weeks following vaccination. More frequent and diligent exercise of usual hygienic measures such as handwashing after changing sheets, cleaning surfaces soiled by stools etc is recommended. For disinfection of soiled surfaces, use a chlorine solution diluted in water such as 1 part 5,25% household bleach in 9 parts of water, prepared daily, rinsing afterwards.

These hygenic measures are particularly important if the vaccinated child inadvertently comes in contact by with a person who has a medical condition decreasing his or her defence against the vaccine, such as cancer treatment, an immunodeficiency syndrome or corticosteroid use.

3. Following injected Salk vaccine, the vaccinated person sometimes manifests a benign reaction (redness, swelling) at the site of injection. The application of a cold compress will reduce the symptoms.

4. In the presence of significant reactions following vaccination, consult a doctor and let us know. Mention all such reactions at the time of any subsequent booster vaccinations.