Almost 90-95% of the infections do not show symptoms. Such cases can be termed as sub clinical type of polio.

The rest of the 5-10% infections show minor symptoms like fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, stiff neck and painful limbs. the child recovers by 1-2 weeks without leaving any sequalae . It can be termed as non-paralytic type of polio.

In about 0.5% instances, the symptom will be muscle weakness resulting in disabled movement. It can occur over a period of few hours up to few days. The rarest and severest form of polio, which results in full/partial paralysis and even mortality. 

How is OPV given?

Oral polio vaccine is a live vaccine i.e. the virus is weakened enough to stimulate immunity but not cause the disease. It is administered as two drops orally.

Routine vaccination schedule starts at birth followed by 3 doses along with the Dpt vaccine at 6/10/14 weeks or 2/4/6/ months.
and boosters at 16-18 months and 41/2 -5 years

What are pulse polio doses?

Apart from the routine immunization the Government of India administers oral polio drops all over the country on specified days to all children up to 5 years of age. These are extra doses as a part of strategy to develop herd immunity i.e. community protection against the polio virus and curb its spread.

Does OPV protect against all three types of the polio virus?

The current oral polio vaccine available from April is bivalent polio i.e. protects against two types of the virus.

Does the Oral Polio Vaccine have any Side Effects?
generally there are not any serious side effects, However it being a live virus it can cause VACCINE ASSOCIATED PARALYTIC POLIO (VAPP) in certain susceptible/immuno-compromised children.

What is the difference between IPV and OPV??

OPV or Oral polio virus is a live and weak form of polio virus that will produce antibodies against it and not develop into disease in the body. When OPV is received, it works by spreading through sewage system, water supply, food and water and eventually spreads protection.Helps community protection too.

IPV, Inactivated polio virus vaccine protects the vaccinated person against Polio. It contains dead form of virus that keeps the disease at bay. It does not act to spread protection through antibodies unlike OPV. This vaccine is highly effective and mandate too for its excellent protection for an individual

Why does one need so many doses of OPV?

The vaccine is very heat sensitive and also prone to interference by other germs in the intestine hence this vaccine is given repeatedly to enhance the capacity to resist the disease.

Why does one need so many doses of OPV?

The vaccine is very heat sensitive and also prone to interference by other germs in the intestine hence this vaccine is given repeatedly to enhance the capacity to resist the disease.

I missed attending the polio pulse campaign for my baby. What to do now?

Chances are considerably low that one doesn’t get to know about a polio vaccine campaign. Although if you missed it, the volunteers drop by your place to administer the dose. If not, you may immediately rush to your vaccination center and communicate the same with the expert.

Can OPV be administered to new born children?

The vaccine has been used for years safely. It may be given to new born. Even to the new born babies who were born just a few hours ago.

My child is down with fever/diarrhea/cold. Can OPV be given?

The OPV vaccine generally does not cause any reactions if given with other medicines. They can be safely administered even when a baby is ill.

Has the vaccine to be administered empty stomach? Can my child eat and drink after the dose?

There are no conditions like that associated with administration of Polio Vaccine.

Does polio vaccine cause impotency/infertility?

No, there is no such valid evidence of polio vaccine being a reason of impotency or infertility.

What is the IPV?

IPV refers to the Inactivated Polio-virus. IPV consists of inactivated (killed) polio virus strains of all three polio virus types and is given as injectable vaccine.

How is it useful?

POLIO is a life threatening infection caused by the polio virus, spreads through feco-oral route. It enters the nervous system and can cause paralysis . Children below 5 years are specially susceptible.

What is the schedule for IPV vaccination?

It may be given at 6/10/14 weeks or 2/4/6/ months followed by a booster at 12-15 months.

What if my child has received only oral polio can she still take IPV?

YES, two doses of IPV 8 weeks apart can be given followed by booster dose 6-12 months later.

IS IPV safe ?

Yes, IPV is one of the safest vaccines. It protects children against all three types of polio virus.

However, the polio vaccine, like any medicine, could potentially cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction. The risk that the vaccine could cause any serious harm is extremely small.

How effective is the IPV ?

almost 90-100% efficacy

Who should not receive IPV ?

If your child has had a severe allergic reaction from a previous dose of the polio vaccine or a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotics streptomycin, polymyxin B, or neomycin

Can an immuno-compromised child take IPV?

YES,its a killed vaccine , so can be safely given.

If my baby has received IPV , DOES she still need to be given oral polio drops?

YES, IPV (injection) will not replace OPV (polio drops). OPV will continue to be given as part of the routine immunization and polio rounds. IPV does not confer local intestinal immunity and the virus can still be shed in the feces of the child leading to continued transmission of the virus. IPV offers protection only to the individual child and not to the community so oral polio is still recommended along with IPV.

If India is declared polio free ,why is it still important to take polio vaccine?

Although India has been declared polio free, wild polio virus is still present in neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. The polio virus can be imported by travelers across countries. Till such time as the polio virus is not eradicated from all the countries of the world, the threat of re-emergence and reinfection of polio remains. This is an important step towards global; eradication of polio which is being implemented in all countries.