Is it mandatory to give pulse polio drops for baby by the government each time it is announced?
In this post I write about the polio drops for baby, how its classified and the FAQs on the same.
When you become a parent, one important thing that you need to keep track of is the vaccination schedule of your baby.
One of the first vaccinations given as soon as your baby is born is the Oral polio vaccine(OPV). After this, several doses are given as per the vaccination schedule. Another related vaccination that the doctors are recommending these days is the Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Apart from this, the government provides pulse polio drops from time to time and urges that all kids below 5 years should be given the drops.
Today, we will learn the differences between the three and why it is important to give the pulse polio drops to your kid whenever the government announces it.
What is Polio?
Polio or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the wild polio virus. Polio enters the body through the mouth, in water or food that has been contaminated with feces from an infected person.
In most cases, the infection caused is mild and the person will recover fully after a few days. But in 5% of the cases, the virus moves from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream and will attack the nerves. This can lead to paralysis, breathing problems or even death.
There is no cure for this kind of polio. Hence, our only defense is to vaccinate ourselves against it. Like other illnesses, kids (especially under 5 years) are at the highest risk of being attacked due to their underdeveloped immune system.
Most developed countries in the world including US and UK are already polio free. India is all set to join this group as there have been no new cases of polio in India for the past three years, thanks to the vaccination efforts. However, we are still at risk of contracting this virus from neighboring countries where the virus is prevalent.
Polio drops/ vaccines for babies and kids:
As mentioned before, lets see in detail the 3 types of polio vaccines available, their benefits and whether all the the three should be given to babies and kids.
#1. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
Oral Polio Vaccine or OPV has been used in India for many decades. It’s very simple to give this vaccine since all that is needed is for the doctor or health worker to put some drops in the baby’s mouth. This is also quite inexpensive, and hence all of us can afford it.
OPV consists of a mixture of live, weakened polio virus of all three types. Oral polio vaccine produces antibodies in the blood to all three types of polio virus. In the event of infection, these antibodies protect against paralysis by preventing the spread of wild polio virus to the nervous system.
#2. Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
IPV is a type of injectable vaccine currently used in countries like USA. These days, doctors in India are also recommending this vaccine.
IPV differentiates itself from OPV as it contains inactivated version of the virus instead of the live, weakened virus. In case of OPV, there is an extremely small risk that someone can develop polio because of the vaccine itself (one in every 2.7 million). This is a very rare case, and certainly the risk is much, much smaller than not being vaccinated at all. Still, the risk can be completely overcome if you also give IPV to your kids.
However, IPV is more expensive and not everyone can afford it. In case you can afford it, and you want to eliminate that small risk, IPV is highly recommended to be given before OPV.
#3. Pulse Polio Programme
From time to time, the government announces “National immunization day” and encourages all kids under 5 years to receive OPV under this programme. This immunization is done in addition to the regular immunization through the above two techniques, and not instead of it.
Apart from government hospitals, in some places, volunteers even go from house to house to vaccinate the kids.
Frequently asked questions on pulse polio drops for baby:
A question rises in the mind of many parents – “I have already given all the doses under my child’s routine immunization program. Is this still needed and is it safe?”
I am attempting to answer some of these questions below.
1. Is it safe to give these pulse polio drops even if I have given them already? Can my child be overdosed?
There is no such thing as an overdose for this vaccine. You can safely give them again the polio drops on the pulse polio day.
If your scheduled immunization date for OPV falls very close to the Pulse Polio programme date, check with your doctor if your baby needs to be given the polio drops again.
For example, my friend’s 9 month old kid had her measles+OPV scheduled four days after the pulse polio date. Her doctor asked her to get the OPV through the pulse polio program and come to him on the same day to get the measles vaccine (instead of waiting for four more days).
2. Is pulse polio drops by the government necessary for my baby or kid?
The strong answer is YES. There are two important reasons for this.
- Even if your child is already immunized, this will act as a booster dose and will further reduce your child’s chances of contracting this virus.
- An advantage of OPV not present in IPV is that it can lead to contact immunity. The weakened virus from the immunized person can pass on to other kids through their feces. This way, even the kids who are not immunized (by any chance) develop immunity to the virus.
By giving the vaccine to the entire country on the same day, this is a really effective way to make sure that the wild polio virus is completely eradicated. This ensures that we can be a polio free nation.
3. Can I give OPV when my child is sick?
Generally, OPV can be given even if your child has fever or diarrhea. It is better to confirm with the doctor when unsure.
4. Are the government centers safe and hygienic for giving OPV to my baby? Are there any alternatives?
Even the most affordable parents go to government centers to give OPV on the national immunization day. It is generally found to be hygienic and safe.
If at all you have a doubt, you can always get the OPV given at your private hospital, on the same date.
Hope you are now better informed about polio and the vaccination options available. So, next time don’t forget to walk-in and get your child vaccinated on the national immunization day.
Together, let’s fight for a polio free India and a polio free world, indeed!
You can also read about dental hygiene in babies, ear care and winter care essentials for baby.
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35 Comments
My paed has given OPV in place of IPV? is this a matter of concern? plz guide.
hi..today my child got 6th week opv drops…but as the IPV is not available they asked us to come 3 days later for IPV.
is it safe to give IPV post OPV pls advise as I read somewhere that it will have negative effects
What is the side effect after putting polio drops to 1 and half month baby of first time.
We missed giving the vaccine yesterday and my son is 3.5 years old. We gave them in all previous camps. Should we be worried about missing this or wait for the next camp in April?
Do not worry, give the next dose, its completely fine.
Is there any food restrictions for children before or after taking polio drops? Is there any time limit?
No restrictions as such Prabhu.
Can I give my child something to eat or drink immediately after she takes the polio drops. She 4 years 3 months old. After taking polio drops from a near by government school, after 10 minutes, she ate half a red banana. Is there any problem?
No problem at all.
Hi,
My daughter 3 yrs old is suffering from viral fever. She has about 103f fever. Can we administer polio drops? Today being Sunday, my doctor is not available to comment.
Do not give polio drops when the baby has fever. Once she recovers, you can consult the doc and administer the drops.
Hi,
Do we need to give both the doses – first dose on the pulse polio dates 28/Jan and second dose on 11/Mar ? or one dose is sufficient ?
My baby is 16 days old….can i give a polio on 28th Jan 2018 i.e., govt prgm
Yes of course if not given by the doc.
when it start for an infant (new baby)……. plz tell
What is pulse polio? They have announced twice in 2017 very closely.Jan ending and April 2 nd.If the baby is given in 2017 Jan does she require again in April?Who can clear this doubt from Healh Care?
Uma, whenever the Government announces pulse polio drops, do make sure to give it.
The article is very helpful. I’m giving all the scheduled vaccine doses of polio. But by fault not giving pulse polio by govt program. My lo is 14th months. Does it matter? He got 5 doses.. Please reply me, I’m very nervous.
IPV is given last 3 days before( 29.3.2017) again i want to give 2017 april 2nd polio day
Hi sangi
My kids have 28/04/2011 dob
Should I give him polio drops regular or not
Hi,
My 3 month old baby had her ipv in first week of Feb and within 20 days pulse polio volunteers came home and gave opv , another dose of ipv is scheduled in 15 days, please let me know if opv could cause any problem.
Hi Sangeeta,
Last year unfortunately we missed one polio drop for my son when he was of 6 months..after that every time I make sure he should get it.Will that one time miss effect in future?
Hi Sangeeta,
I was not much aware about oral polio Vs pulse polio. My baby is 11 months old and unfortunately we missed one pulse polio in Nov 2015 and Last week as well Jan 17. After coming across, now I am bit tensed as I desperately need a advice is that okay as my baby was not given pulse polio till now. However, I am going to take my baby for pulse polio immediately..
Kindly sugeest me if you have suggestion about it…
Vamshi, Don’t worry. Take the oral polio drops (as it is polio ravivar week).
Without our knowledge polio drops been given in the school more over my daughter is above5 years and vaccinated 4months back, last time our doctor informed no more polio drops for this kid. So now worried about the issue, is there any side effect for this
Polio is dangerous. I have seen my friend suffer because of the same. The information shared here is definitely useful for anyone who is concerned about the protection of children from Polio. Thanks a lot for the info.
Thanks sangi ….take care 🙂
Thanks sangi…..I will b taking her to te doctr 2aay….sangi wen will a baby start walkg ?
Depends from child to child Anu.. Dont worry ..let her take her own time 🙂
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Hi sangi
my baby has very bad
loose motion…she is 11 months now….
can you pls suggest some medicine tat can stop loose motion and wat all fuds I can gve her at tis time..pls help me …..
Anu,
Did you take her to the doctor ? If not pls do so. You can keep her hydrated with rice kanji,pomegranate juice, arrow root powder kanji and coconut water.
hello iam revathy my child dob is 10.3.2012 his age is 6years. i had given polio drops today it cause any problem
No problem at all Revathy.
my baby born on 20/07/2018. I did not given any drops.. till now can have any problem