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Polio Vaccine – Who Needs It And Who Shouldn’t Get It ?

It is advisable for all children to receive the vaccine against polio in routine immunizations. The vaccine used becomes the prime target of the U.S. immunization policy: the inactivated polio vaccine is given by injection in a child’s leg or arm. The polio vaccine in New York is given four times according to the general schedule: at 2, 4, and 6-18 months and at 4-6 years of age.

The majority of the adults in America were vaccinated against polio in their childhood. This means that if you were born and raised in the US, then you must have been vaccinated because this polio vaccination has been going on for the longest periods.

However, adults who are uncertain of their vaccination status or know that they did not acquire the complete series should also have their doctors speak to them.

They have to be vaccinated with IPV to keep them protected from this deadly infection.

The vaccination rate should be high so as not to allow the spread of the disease again.

Who Needs The Polio Vaccine ?

Children

The polio vaccine is given in an inactive state in routine child vaccination schedules, which saves most of the children in America from being affected or dying of the disease. Four doses are given to a child, where one is at the age of 2 months, the other given at 4 months, the third between 6 and 18 months, and the last given between 4 and 6 years. Parents should keep an accurate record to ensure that their kids get these doses following the recommended ages.

Similarly, people who are thinking about going to another country must ensure they and their children are fully immunized against poliomyelitis and get a polio booster dose. This will protect them against poliovirus transmission in countries where the disease is endemic or where outbreaks of poliovirus are recorded. This should not only be done for personal caution. 

This is also, however, one of the measures to assist UNICEF and the rest of the international health care authorities in achieving the poliovirus around the world as this minimizes the spread of the virus from one country to the other.

Adults

Many of you probably got shots when you were kids to protect against polio. Now, why should you worry about getting an infection? That is, if you are positive that you have been protected, or if you missed getting all the childhood doses recommended for the polio vaccine in New York, go ahead and get vaccinated today. At least three doses of IPV are advised for persons not previously vaccinated: first dose at any time; second dose 1 to 2 months after the first dose; third dose 6 to 12 months after the second. 

Those who have received one or two doses at some point in the past should complete the series. Also, a single lifetime booster dose of the IPV should be provided to fully vaccinated adults with increased risk exposure to poliovirus, such as adults traveling in countries known to have a risk for poliovirus transmission.

Who Is At Risk of Getting This Poliovirus Infection ?

Increased risks of poliovirus exposure include the following for adults:

  • Travel to countries with increased risks of poliovirus transmission. It is recommended that healthcare practitioners consult with them for further advice on vaccination before traveling.
  • Working in or traveling to a polio outbreak area where there is a greater risk of polio.
  • Working in or traveling to a polio-endemic area where polio is always a risk.
  • Working in or managing laboratories or health care settings where working with samples that may contain poliovirus is standard.
  • Being a healthcare worker or caregiver with close contact with people who may be infected with poliovirus.
  • Being identified by public health officials as an individual in a group at higher risk of exposure to infection due to poliovirus in an outbreak.

Who Should Avoid Getting The Dose ?

Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any ingredient of a polio vaccine, including:

  • Those that have shown a life-threatening allergic response to IPV or 
  • Those who are allergic to perhaps a substance of the vaccine.
  • If one is not feeling well due to minor infections such as colds, the person should contact the health care provider so that he does not contraindicate vaccination. In case he is suffering from other moderate to severe infections, healthcare providers may recommend not getting this vaccination now and postponing it for later when the person feels better.

How Does This Vaccine Work ?

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is administered exclusively in the United States and is highly effective. It protects virtually everybody; 99 of 100 people who finish the recommended doses will be protected from severe poliovirus disease. Two doses give 90% protection, whereas a series of three or more doses give at least 99% protection and give fortified immunity to poliovirus infection.

If you also wish to get immunized against this infection and are not still vaccinated, schedule your appointment today. Or you can directly visit a vaccination center offering Polio Vaccine in New York City.

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