Oral polio vaccine is replaced by injectable dose from Monday

From November 4th, drops of the oral polio vaccine will be replaced by injectable vaccines, as announced by the Ministry of Health. The change had already been communicated in July 2023, and now the date has been officially established.

“The Ministry of Health will replace the two booster doses with the oral bivalent polio vaccine (VOPb), known as droplets, with one dose of the inactivated polio vaccine (VIP), which is injectable. Thus, the vaccination schedule against the disease will be exclusively with VIP“, informed the ministry in a note.

According to the vaccination schedule, the injectable form (VIP) is already applied to children aged 2 to 6 months. Reinforcement with drops was carried out between 15 months and 4 years. With the new change, the injectable vaccine will be administered at 15 months, while the dose at 4 years will no longer be necessary.

The ministry also highlighted that the injectable polio vaccine is considered more efficient than the drop version. “The decision was based on epidemiological criteria, scientific evidence about the vaccine and international recommendations, aiming to make the vaccination schedule even safer. Countries such as the United States and several European nations have already adopted exclusive vaccination schedules with VIP“, added the folder.

Taking into account the most recent scientific evidence in combating the disease, the change was discussed and approved by the Technical Immunization Advisory Chamber (CTAI).

_{Child being vaccinated (Photo: reproduction/Jaelson Lucas/AEN Archive)}

Polio

Polio, also known as infantile paralysis, mainly affects children under the age of five and can result in irreversible paralysis. In some cases, the disease is contagious and is caused by the poliovirus, which can compromise muscles and, in more serious situations, lead to death. Transmission occurs through contaminated water and food or through contact with infected patients.

Although polio still has no cure, vaccination is an effective tool for prevention. Cases of the disease have been decreasing throughout Brazil thanks to global immunization campaigns. In Brazil, the disease was eradicated in 1989, but vaccination remains essential and of paramount importance.

Vaccination

The vaccine is one of the most effective methods of preventing diseases, stimulating the immune system and combating viruses, bacteria, serious and even fatal infections. In recent years, vaccination campaigns have focused on ensuring mass immunization across the country.

However, Brazil faces challenges such as unequal distribution and lack of information. Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that adherence to some vaccines, such as MMR, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, has fallen to less than 90%, which is considered the minimum rate for effective control of these diseases. To increase adherence, the government, in partnership with other organizations, promotes awareness campaigns and expands vaccination centers, especially in areas that are difficult to access, such as rural areas and needy communities.

Brazil has one of the most advanced immunization programs in the world, the National Immunization Program (PNI), which offers free vaccines against various diseases.

Thus, vaccination is a right and a social responsibility, and, with the collaboration of the population, it is possible to control and combat diseases that have already caused millions of victims.

Featured photo: (Reproduction/Gov Agency/Ministry of Health)