The oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is used in many countries to protect against polio disease. Oral poliovirus vaccine contains attenuated or weakened version of either one (monovalent OPV), two (bivalent OPV), or all three (trivalent OPV) poliovirus types.
After wild poliovirus type 2 was declared eradicated in 2015, the world switched from trivalent OPV to bivalent OPV. Bivalent OPV contains poliovirus type 1 and 3. This switch means that the bOPV used globally no longer protects against WPV2. Countries that use bOPV for routine immunization have added a single dose of IPV to protect against WPV2.
In rare instances, the vaccine-virus may be able to circulate over time and mutate in communities with insufficient immunity or immunocompromised individuals. These mutated OPV strains can cause polio disease. They are called poliovirus variantsor vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs).
For more information on polio vaccination see Global Polio Eradication.
FAQs
Wild poliovirus. There have been two new cases of WPV1 in Pakistan reported in 2024, both cases were detected in Balochistan province (Chaman and Dera Bugti districts). The significant increase in environmental detections have been sustained with 125 positive samples in 2023 and 34 positive samples to date in 2024.
Is the polio vaccine live or dead? ›
Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which is the only polio vaccine given in the United States since 2000, protects 99 – 100 percent of people who get all recommended doses. Among both children and adults, IPV has long been proven safe and effective. IPV does not contain any live virus, and it cannot cause polio.
Do more than 90% of people who become infected with the poliovirus experience? ›
The incubation period is usually 7–10 days but can range from 4–35 days. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. It then invades the nervous system. Up to 90% of those infected experience no or mild symptoms and the disease usually goes unrecognized.
Is polio coming back in the US? ›
On July 21, 2022, the USA witnessed the first case of poliomyelitis after 3 decades of its eradication. Poliomyelitis is a crippling disease that results from infection with any one of the three related poliovirus types (referred to as types P1, P2, and P3), members of the enterovirus (picornavirus) family.
Does polio return later in life? ›
Overview. Post-polio syndrome is a group of potentially disabling signs and symptoms that appear decades after the initial polio illness. These signs and symptoms usually appear between 30 to 40 years after having polio. Infection from the polio virus once caused paralysis and death.
Does the polio vaccine last a lifetime? ›
Yes, the polio vaccine provides lifelong immunity. Therefore, no testing is recommended to confirm prior vaccination, even if documentation of prior vaccination cannot be located and no booster dose is recommended.
Is anyone immune to polio? ›
Poliovirus infection can provide lifelong immunity against the disease, but this protection is limited to the particular type of poliovirus involved (Type 1, 2, or 3). Infection with one type does not protect an individual against infection with the other two types.
Who mostly gets polio? ›
Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age. However, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. Polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life.
What are the odds of getting polio? ›
However, for a few people (about 1 in 2.4 million), OPV actually causes polio. Since the risk of getting polio in the United States is now extremely low, experts believe that using oral polio vaccine is no longer worth the slight risk, except in limited circ*mstances, which your doctor can describe.
Is it possible to get polio even if vaccinated? ›
Poliovirus can remain in feces for 3 to 6 weeks. In persons who have received oral polio vaccine (OPV), poliovirus can be present in the throat for 1 to 2 weeks following immunization and can remain in feces for several weeks.
However, the poliovirus is on the verge of global eradication today – an astounding achievement of modern medicine. Jonas Salk played a pivotal role in achieving this success by being the first to devise and implement a safe and effective vaccine against polio.
Can polio make a comeback? ›
Considering current data on polio vaccination coverage, the return of polio is approaching reality. Polio epidemics throughout history claimed lives and left sequelae. Therefore, it is the duty of all of society to prevent history from repeating itself.
What year did they stop giving the polio vaccine? ›
OPV was recommended for use in the United States for almost 40 years, from 1963 until 2000. The results have been miraculous: Polio was eliminated from the United States in 1979 and from the Western Hemisphere in 1991. Since 2000, only IPV is recommended to prevent polio in the United States.
What year will polio be eradicated? ›
Wild poliovirus type 2 was certified eradicated in 2015, the last case having been detected in 1999. Wild poliovirus type 3 has not been detected since 2012, and was certified eradicated in 2019.
What age are you fully vaccinated against polio? ›
CDC recommends that children get four doses of polio vaccine. They should get one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 through 18 months old, and 4 through 6 years old.
