| The
Disease: Polio is a disease that can cause permanent
paralysis. About 1 out of 10 people who get the disease, die from
the disease. The disease no longer exists in the western hemisphere.
The Vaccine: Inactivated
Polio Vaccine. This is the only form of polio vaccine that Partners
in Pediatrics recommends. This replaces the liquid polio previously
given. This vaccine is given as a shot and has all the benefits
of the oral vaccine. However, it does not have the risk of transmitting
polio. The oral polio vaccine had the small risk of transmitting
polio from the vaccine itself. (1 of 2,500,000 doses.) Since there
has not been any polio contracted from other people in the United
States for at least a decade, the only polio seen is that from the
oral vaccine itself. The injectable vaccine eliminates even these
cases.
Side effects
- No risk of polio as with oral form.
- Redness or irritation around the site of injection.
For
more information on this vaccine, the Center for Disease Control
has a handout available- click here
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