Polio is the short form of poliomyelitis, which is a highly infectious virus, mainly affecting children under the age group of five years. The disease transmits from one person to another and, in some cases, through water contamination, whereby in extreme cases, it may result in permanent paralysis and death. One ineffective way of fighting this desolating disease is inoculation.
What is Polio?
The main infected organ is the nervous system, and the infection results in very different outcomes: it might be merely sufficient to cause flu-like symptoms, or so severe as to paralyze. At its extreme, polio can be deadly, since once the respiratory muscles become paralyzed, there is little else to do but wait for death.
Symptoms and Mode of Transmission
The symptoms of polio are very variable. Most people who contract the disease show no symptoms at all. Some might report minor symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and limb pain. In very rare cases, it leads to severe muscle weakness and paralysis, which in most cases, is not reversible.
The main transmission is through the faeces-oral route. In other words, this virus spreads through faeces contact, usually through contaminated foodstuffs or water. Moreover, by presence of respiratory droplets, then makes the disease highly contagious if left in unsanitary conditions.
How Does the Polio Vaccine Work?
The polio vaccine causes antibodies in the body to fight against the poliovirus, therefore not giving the disease itself. There are two kinds of polio vaccines:
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): IPV is administered through injection, contains inactivated or killed poliovirus and evokes an immune response by producing antibodies that defend the host body from the invading virus. IPV has been safe and proven effective and continues to be the vaccine of choice in most developed countries as it does not precipitate rare side effects associated with the live vaccine.
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): OPV is administered in the form of a few drops of live but weakened poliovirus. The vaccine is very effective as well as easy to administer. That's why it is highly used on large scales, especially in developing countries, in the campaigns organized for mass vaccination. OPV similarly activates the immune system as IPV but has advantages in that it does not need to handle a vaccine by medical personnel; thus, it can be administered by less-trained personnel. Such makes it more suitable for mass immunization efforts in areas with limited healthcare access.
Both IPV and OPV have played a significant role in reducing the transmission of polio at the global level. The intervention through the vaccination campaigns involving education on health issues as well as effective surveillance has greatly contributed to the tremendous reduction of polio cases.
What is the Importance of the Polio Vaccine?
- Prevention of Paralysis and Death: The most overwhelming advantage of the polio vaccine is the prevention of paralysis and even death. The virus spreads so fast in communities without vaccinations, with scenarios of acute outbreaks occurring in communities. Therefore, the vaccine has effectively reduced cases of polio-related paralysis.
- Herd Immunity: Immunization against polio encourages herd immunity whereby a large percentage of a population is immunized against a disease therefore reducing its spread. Herd immunity protects vulnerable members such as newborns, some patients with certain medical conditions, and others whose immunization systems are not fully developed.
- Eliminates Risk of Outbreak: Where polio is still at risk, regular campaigns for immunization are in place. Constant use of the vaccine prevents the virus from circulating and highly minimizes the risk of outbreaks, especially within densely populated or high-risk areas.
- Economic Efficiency: The use of vaccines for polio immunization is considered a more cost-effective approach than that of treating polio cases and managing long-term disabilities caused by polio. In many instances, the cost burden of dealing with the disease is high for affected families and healthcare systems, hence prevention through immunization is an economical way to deal with the illness.
- Contributing to Global Eradication Goals: Eradication of polio will mark the only second time in history that a disease has been eliminated from the world, after smallpox. Once we have vaccinated them, we move one step further in achieving this historical milestone.
- Protect Future Generations: Vaccination has actively helped to save the lives of future generations from the devastating impact of the disease. It can continue from there and ensure that children are born into a world free of polio.
The Continuing Struggle to Eradicate Polio
Although polio is almost eradicated, the war is not yet won. In some parts of the world, the poliovirus has yet to be eradicated, and hence, efforts in the vaccine process must go on until the last of the disease disappears. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, led by WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and Rotary International, continues to strive for the attainment of a polio-free world.
Besides hard-to-reach area challenges, growing concerns have risen regarding vaccine-derived poliovirus. This arises from the fact that mutations of the attenuated virus in the oral polio vaccine cause outbreaks in under-immunized populations. In working to enhance strategies that increase IPV use, there is no VDPV risk associated with IPV.
Perhaps, other challenges posed to the eradication efforts of polio are perpetuated by war conflicts, political instability, and logistic challenges. In some other countries, the challenge has been reaching every child with the vaccine because of war, being displaced, and resisting campaigns aimed at vaccinations. However, the tenacity of international health organizations and local governments is what makes it an attainable task. Some of the achievements may be mentioned, like the near eradication of polio from Africa and India - proof of what developed efforts over time and international cooperation might yield.
Importance of Vaccination in the UAE
In the UAE, immunization against polio has ensured that this country is polio-free. The United Arab Emirates government, through MOHAP, has implemented vaccination widely in immunizing the residents mainly children against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization coverage has been one of the main reasons for which the UAE has been a leader in the successful control of outbreaks.
Receiving support from the government for public health protection of the UAE population is something Royal Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, values much. As healthcare professionals, we are obliged to pass on correct information about vaccination clear all issues raised by parents with regard to vaccine administration and ensure that children are not missing their vaccinations. So, vaccination is the safest and most effective method of preventing polio, and we encourage all families to make sure their children are up to date on their immunization schedules.
The thing most people forget is that polio is still a preventable disease, but if vaccination rates get too low, it can have disastrous implications, meaning this country can and will continue to be a polio-free country.
FAQs
Q: Is the Polio Vaccine Safe?
A: Yes, the polio vaccine is safe. It has been used for decades with very few side effects. The benefits far outweigh the risks, as it prevents a life-threatening disease.
Q: Can Polio Be Eradicated?
A: Yes, polio can be eradicated. Vaccination efforts have reduced polio cases by over 99%, and with continued global vaccination, we are on the verge of wiping out the disease completely.
Q: What Will Happen If a Child Is Not Administered the Polio Vaccine?
A: Without receiving the polio vaccine, the child may catch polio. Parents must get their children vaccinated as quickly as they possibly can to benefit from immunity.
Q: How Does Polio Impact the Body?
A: It has a destructive impact on the nervous system, and it has severe effects by paralyzing especially the legs. In extreme cases, it leads to permanent disability or even death because the virus affects the muscles required for breathing.
Conclusion
The polio vaccine was simple, yet merely the most fabulous tool that existed in the global public health arsenal-it certainly made a difference, by saving millions of lives, keeping children from lifelong disabilities, and finally bringing us closer to eradicating a disease that once crippled entire generations. But well, the battle against polio is far from over; vigilance and continued vaccination efforts are still in place to ensure it is eliminated from the last endemic areas.
Our belief at Royal Medical Center in Abu Dhabi is that the benefit of vaccination to the individual and society is clear and positive. Parents need to get their children on the necessary vaccinations, including polio, on schedule because it would save the next generation from the devastating effects of this disease so, we may celebrate a future where no child has to suffer from this disease.
