The IPV vaccine, or Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine, is a vaccine used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio). It was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955 and is also known as the Salk vaccine. IPV consists of inactivated (killed) poliovirus strains of all three types of poliovirus. The vaccine is given by injection either intramuscularly or intradermally and must be administered by a trained health worker. How IPV works:
- IPV produces antibodies in the blood against all three types of poliovirus.
- These antibodies prevent the virus from spreading to the central nervous system, thereby protecting against paralysis caused by polio.
- IPV does not stop transmission of the virus but effectively prevents paralytic disease.
Safety and usage:
- IPV is very safe with no serious systemic side effects reported.
- It is used widely in industrialized, polio-free countries as the preferred vaccine.
- IPV is part of routine childhood vaccination schedules with recommended doses at around 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years of age.
- In some countries, where polio outbreaks still occur, oral polio vaccine (OPV) with a weakened live virus is used because it can help contain outbreaks by stopping transmission.
- IPV is highly effective and likely provides long-term immunity.
In summary, the IPV vaccine is an injection-based polio vaccine made from killed polioviruses that protects individuals from paralytic polio by inducing immunity, without the rare risks associated with the oral live vaccine. It is key to polio prevention in many countries today and is part of global efforts to eradicate polio indefinitely. If you want, I can also explain the differences between IPV and the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Let me know!
