Acute paralytic poliomyelitis, vaccine-associated Save

Acute Paralytic Poliomyelitis: Understanding Vaccine-Associated Cases

Acute paralytic poliomyelitis is a viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It affects the central nervous system and can lead to paralysis. The disease can be prevented through vaccination, but in rare cases, the vaccine itself can cause the disease, known as vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis.

Here are some important things to know about vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis:

1. It is a rare side effect of the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
2. The risk of developing vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis is estimated to be one case per 2.7 million doses of OPV.
3. The risk is higher for people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or certain genetic disorders.
4. The risk is also higher for people who receive multiple doses of OPV.
5. The risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis is much lower than the risk of paralytic poliomyelitis from natural infection.

It is important to note that the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis is extremely low and that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) instead of OPV in countries where the risk of wild poliovirus transmission is low. IPV does not carry the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis.

In conclusion, acute paralytic poliomyelitis is a serious disease that can be prevented through vaccination. While vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis is a rare side effect of the oral polio vaccine, the risk is extremely low, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.