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Re: IPV Vs OPV

Dogwood Ridge wrote:

> Danny- Yes and no.  A  6 month old in daycare would have already gotten
> two, going on three previous polio vaccines and therefore his chances of
> contracting polio from another baby's vaccine would be much less than if he
> were an under two month that had not received any vaccines.  So to make a
> long story short- daycare providers should wash their hands after they
> change a diaper.  This reminds me- when pediatricians hospitalize infants
> in the 6 weeks following an OPV, do you place them under enteric isolation?
>  Regards Kim Burlingham, MD

We don't put them in enteric isolation per se, but we do keep infants away from
immunodeficient and immune-suppressed kids as a rule.

>  it
> > sounds like a 6mo in childcare might as well save the shot and get OPV.
> Any
> > comments?

I will once again debate this stance that the "extra shot" is so bad.  Although
OPV is highly protective, there is still the risk (albeit low) of
vaccine-associated paralytic polio.  eIPV is as protective against wild polio,
there is no risk of polio in immune compromised contacts, and there is no VAPP.
I don't hear anyone arguing that the protection against Haemophilus influenza
type B disease isn't worth the pain, etc. of the HiB shots.

I repeat, shots may be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but POLIO SUCKS!


--
Andrew M. Eisen, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Director, Pediatric Residency Program
University of Nevada School of Medicine