Polio or poliomyelitis is a dangerous illness. Health professionals from every diagnostic lab in Houston recommend it. Let’s suppose that you have a toddler at your home. And he is more than 2 months old, you need to get him the polio vaccine. The Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is the only vaccine for polio that has been in use since 2000.
There are countries that use the oral polio vaccine, also known as OPV. The main difference between the two is that IPV is injected in the leg or the arm. There is no difference in the effectiveness as such. But third-world countries have OPV.
According to the best diagnostic lab in Houston, there are four required doses of polio. But who is eligible for the polio vaccine?
Note: For the same day testing lab in Houston, contact Texas Diagnostics Laboratories now!
● Who is eligible for the polio vaccine?
Vaccine experts from the top diagnostic lab in Houston believe that toddlers that are aged 2-months are eligible. There are a total of four doses, which are administered at the following ages:
- 2-months old
- 4-months old
- 6 to 18 months old
- 4 to 6 years old
Experts also believe that these four doses must be completed for every child. Especially for the children that have to travel to another country where polio is common.
An accelerated schedule can be introduced for children that have to leave the country. This schedule involves the following:
- 6 weeks old child
- 4 weeks after the first dose is administered
- 4 weeks after the second dose
- 6 weeks after the third dose
Let’s suppose that your child cannot even complete the accelerated schedule before he leaves. Then, he must complete them in the other country that he has to travel to.
● What is the polio vaccine protocol for recipients that are adults?
Usually, parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children. However, there are certain adults who are more at risk of the disease:
1. If the adult in question is travelling to a place where polio is very common.
2. The adult who is getting the polio vaccine isn’t feeling well
3. The adult in question has severe allergies towards antibiotics and certain medicines.
● What are the different types of polio vaccines?
Majorly, there are two types of polio vaccines. Each is defined below:
1. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
This polio vaccine is directly injected in the leg or arm of the person. However, where it will be injected depends on the age of the recipient. There are four different doses that are included for the IPV. These doses are to be administered at the following ages:
- First dose when the child is 2 months old
- Second dose at 4 months old
- Third dose is when the child is 6 to 18 months old
- Fourth dose when the child is 4 to 6 years old
2. Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)
This type of polio vaccine is no longer being used in the United States. However, there are countries in the world where OPV is still in use.
One of the best things about the polio vaccine is that it works 99% of the time. After completing the recommended doses, you are immune to polio.
In addition to this, it is provided free in many countries around the world. But there are some countries where people are charged a small amount.
To find out more about the polio vaccine, you can contact Texas Diagnostics Laboratories. It is the best Diagnostics Lab in Houston.