Oral polio vaccine

Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is a live-attenuated vaccine, produced by the passage of the virus through non-human cells at a sub-physiological temperature, which produces spontaneous mutations in the viral genome. Oral polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin, and came into commercial use in 1961. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

History

The oral polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin, and came into commercial use in 1961. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.

Types

There are two types of polio vaccines that are used throughout the world to combat poliomyelitis (or polio). The first, developed by Jonas Salk, was first tested in 1952 and announced to the world by Salk on April 12, 1955. It consists of an injected dose of inactivated (dead) poliovirus. An oral vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin using attenuated poliovirus. Human trials of Sabin's vaccine began in 1957, and it was licensed in 1962.

Administration

Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is given orally. The vaccine contains live viruses that have been weakened so that they stimulate the immune system but do not cause disease in healthy people. OPV stimulates the body to produce antibodies against all three types of poliovirus, and it is over 90% effective after two doses.

Side Effects

In rare cases, the oral polio vaccine can cause paralysis. This is because the live virus in the vaccine can mutate into a form that can cause polio. This is a very rare side effect, but it is one of the reasons that the Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which does not contain live virus, is now used in many countries.

See Also

• Polio
• Inactivated polio vaccine
• Albert Sabin
• Jonas Salk
• World Health Organization

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