Inactivated Vaccine for Polio

The disease

The polio disease (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, which is part of the intestine viruses’ group. The virus is transmitted from one person to another, following contact with secretions (usually feces but also respiratory secretions). Once the virus enters the digestive system, it multiplies and is excreted in the feces. In most cases of infection (80%-90%), there are no symptoms of illness. In 10% to 20% of cases, the disease manifests symptoms such as fever, headache, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, or throat ache. In rare cases, the disease leads to meningitis.

The most alarming phenomenon, which occurs in less than 1% of cases, is the occurrence of paralysis due to the spread of the virus from the digestive system through the bloodstream to the body, resulting in damage to the nervous system. Paralysis occurs more frequently in the lower limbs and may be accompanied by severe muscle pain. Additionally, the severity of the paralysis is contingent on the number of infected nerve cells.

There is no cure for polio, and the paralysis resulting from the disease is permanent. The only solution is prevention through vaccination. Additionally, it is imperative to follow hygiene rules, particularly to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom, before handling food, and after changing a baby’s diaper.

The influence of the vaccine in Israel: in 1957, Israel incorporated the inactivated polio vaccine, preventing morbidity, into routine vaccination program. In 1961, a live attenuated vaccine, which also prevents polio spread, was added. The last reported case of polio occurred in 1988, with 16 cases of paralysis. In 2005, a decision was made to discontinue the use of the live attenuated vaccine. However, due to a resurgence of polio cases, its administration was reinstated in 2013.

In February 2022, a case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) was confirmed. The virus, secreted in the feces where it multiplied, underwent a genetic change. When a live attenuated virus reaches an unvaccinated population, it may cause illness among unvaccinated individuals. Sewage findings indicated widespread transmission of this polio type. A national campaign administering both inactivated and live attenuated vaccines successfully halted the spread, and no additional paralysis cases have been reported since then.

In June 2022, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was confirmed in sewage in the Jerusalem region. This type of virus is spreading to numerous regions in Israel, from the Golan Heights in the north, to Beer Sheva in the south.

The incidence of polio in Israel is related to similar cases around the world. Recent years have seen a rise in polio cases, affecting various regions, including African countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Consequently, vaccination today goes beyond safeguarding against a transient threat; it becomes an investment in future protection and peace of mind.

Vaccine completion: if your child is in school age and has not been given a polio vaccine, which is included in the birth to 18 years immunization schedule, you can contact the school nurse to schedule the vaccine completion. In addition, the health staff of the school will inform you of complementary vaccines your child needs and help you schedule them with your consent.

More on the immunization completion

• Redness and pain at the injection site and local swelling or in the entire limb: you can apply a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water to the injection site and avoid massaging the area.
• Fever: you can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain and reduce fever.
• General discomfort: lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, consistent crying, diarrhea, restlessness, drowsiness; continue breastfeeding and slowly give the baby water on a spoon.
• Rare phenomena: seizures appearing up to three days after vaccination. These seizures are usually related to the fever and are not considered dangerous or cause permanent nerve damage.

Further information about vaccine side effects

If your child experiences symptoms after getting vaccinated in school - please inform the school nurse.