Some answers about the

Oral Polio Vaccine

What does the oral polio vaccine look like? The oral polio vaccine is a pink, yellow, or clear liquid in a small bottle or tube. The label contains the name oral poliomyelitis vaccine, expiration date and a heat monitor called a VVM (the vaccine becomes ineffective when exposed to too much heat). How do I read the VVM to see if the oral polio vaccine is still useful? The VVM is a blue circle with a white square inside. The square turns blue as the container is exposed to heat. If the square is lighter than the blue of the circle, then the oral polio vaccine is fine to use. If the square is the same shade of blue or darker than the circle then the oral polio vaccine should not be used and must be discarded. How much is a dose? How many doses do I need? Each dose is 2 drops into the mouth. At least 3 doses spaced out over time are required to become immune to polio. The number of doses vary, in communities lacking clean water and good sanitation, in tropical environments, or where polio is common it can take up to 12 doses before immunity is achieved. Is the oral polio vaccine halal? Yes. The oral polio vaccine has been declared halal by Islamic leaders all over the world; the Grand Sheik Tantawi of Al-Azhar University, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and the Majelis Council of Ulemmas in Indonesia and many others. Are there side effects to the oral polio vaccine? Some people feel slightly ill or out-of-sorts for a short time after taking the oral polio vaccine as the body builds immunity to polio. This is not harmful and will pass within a few days. People that are allergic to certain anti-biotics (neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin B) can have a reaction to the oral polio vaccine; an allergic reaction should be treated immediately and further vaccinations stopped for that individual. Can I get sick from the oral polio vaccine? 1 person out of about 2.4 million people that take the oral polio vaccine could contract Polio. The risk is extremely low and is thought to occur in people that already have an immune disorder. Why should I take the oral polio vaccine instead of the inactivated polio vaccine injections like some other countries do? The oral polio vaccine works stronger in the digestive tract, the primary site of polio virus entry, than the injected version and better prevents the spread of polio from one person to another. The oral polio vaccine spreads the immunity instead of the disease when passed in the community. After polio is eliminated from a country then the inactivated polio vaccine can be considered for use. Nearly every country in the world used the oral polio vaccine to eradicate polio before switching to the injected inactivated polio vaccine. Can I take the inactivated polio vaccine injections instead of the oral polio vaccine? Maybe. Ask your doctor if the IPV is recommended and available in your area. These should be given in an appropriate medical facility under a doctors supervision. Some answers about the Oral Polio Vaccine

Some answers about the Oral Polio Vaccine Do I need a blood test or DNA test to get the oral polio vaccine? No. There are no tests required in order to become vaccinated against polio. If any tests or other medical services are offered in conjunction with the vaccination, declining them should not affect your ability to receive the polio vaccination. Can the oral polio vaccine cause HIV/AIDS? No. This is only a rumor and pertains to an early 1960's version of the vaccine that has not been used for many decades. Many advances and safeguards have been put in place since then to ensure the safety and quality of all vaccinations. Can the oral polio vaccine cause infertility? No. The exact same oral polio vaccines from the same manufacturers have been used in countries around the world including the Americas, Europe and Israel. Western children taking OVP are given the same drops. Every batch is checked to be sure the vaccines contain no hormones or other contaminates. I don't trust the (Americans, CIA, Israelis, western countries, NGOs, government, etc...) You don't have to trust them to receive the vaccine safely. The Polio Eradication Coalition providing the vaccine is a global cooperative that includes many non-western countries and entities such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea and Red Crescent Society among many others, there are over 20 million people participating worldwide. No country or organization works alone and all are watched by the others. If you don't feel comfortable getting vaccinated at your home by the door-to-door teams you can visit a doctor, clinic, or vaccination station of your choice where ever you feel secure with those administering the vaccine. Why eradicate polio instead of other diseases or fix problems like lack of electricity or food? Because we can. A way has been found to get rid of polio and every human being is a part of the solution. Other diseases and problems affecting health are being worked on as well, with time and global cooperation such as this much more can be accomplished.

Sources: World Health Organization Unicef Government of India Global Polio Eradication Initiative Immunization Action Coalition American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases

Some answers about the Oral Polio Vaccine