Description
The live oral poliomyelitis (OPV) is a trivalent vaccine containing types 1,2 and 3 attenuated poliomyelitis viruses (Sabin strains), prepared on monkey kidney cell culture and stabilized by sucrose. The vaccine fulfils WHO requirements for oral polio vaccine. (WHO - TRS : 800, 1990)
Indication
Active immunization against poliomyelitis
Composition
Each dose ( 2 drops = 0.1 ml ) contains polio virus not less than :
Type 1 : 106,0 CCID50
Type 2 : 105,0 CCID50
Type 3 : 105,8 CCID50
Dosage and Administration
OPV must only be administered orally. Two drops are administered directly into mouth from the multi-dose vial through dropper or dispenser. Care should be taken not to contaminate a multi-dose dropper with saliva of the vaccinees. Infants should receive at least three doses of OPV at minimum intervals of 4 weeks. In non-endemic areas the first dose can be given from 6 weeks with the first dose of DTP. In endemic areas, an extra dose should be given as soon as possible after birth. OPV can be given safely and effectively at the same time as Measles, DTP, DT, Td, TT, BCG, Hepatitis B and Yellow Fever vaccine.
Side Effects
In the vast majority of cases there are no side effects. Very rarely, there may be vaccine associated paralysis (less than 0.17 : 1,000,000 ; Bull WHO 66 : 1988)
Contraindications
The vaccine should not be administered to those with an immune deficiency. No adverse effects are produced by giving OPV to a sick child. However, if in doubt, for instance during diarrhoea, a repeat dose can be given after recovery. HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) INFECTED INFANTS. HIV infected infants both asymptomatic and symptomatic, should be immunized with OPV according to standard schedules.
Storage and Expiry
Vaccine is potent if stored at not higher than -20°C until the expiry date indicated on the vial.
It should not be stored for a period of longer than six months at temperature 2° - 8°C .
The opened vial vaccine if stored at 2° - 8°C will be potent for 7 days .
The expiry date depend on storage conditions :
• -20°C : 2 years
• 2° - 8°C : 6 months
Precautions
1. The vaccine is ready for administered by the oral route. Do not be given parenterally.
2. Children with diarrhoea, vaccine may be administered, but should be repeated after the diarrhoea stops.
Presentation
Vial 10 doses and vial 20 doses, with one dropper for each vial.
