VACCINES
http://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-prevention/the-vaccines/opv/
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In the U.S. we use an Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is given as a shot in the arm or leg ("Immunize" 2). Another vaccine that is used is Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). It is given as an oral liquid. OPV is no longer used in the United States, but is still given in other parts of the world where polio is common ("Immunize" 2).
The first polio vaccine was an inactivated, or killed, vaccine (IPV) developed by Dr. Jonas Salk and licensed in 1955 ("Immunize" 2). The IPV vaccine is very safe; no serious adverse reactions to IPV have been documented ("Immunize" 2). All children and adults should get this vaccine unless they have medical reason not to. Polio still exists in parts of Africa and Asia and can easily be imported. So everyone should vaccinate their child just incase polio ever comes back to the U.S. again ("Immunize" 2). When the effort to eliminate polio from the world is successful, polio vaccine will become part of history. |