Polio vaccine

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Polio Vaccine

The Polio Vaccine (pronunciation: /ˈpoʊlioʊ ˈvæksiːn/) is a vaccine used to prevent poliomyelitis (polio), a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under 5 years of age.

Etymology

The term "Polio Vaccine" is derived from the disease it prevents, poliomyelitis. The word "poliomyelitis" is from the Greek "polios" meaning "grey" and "myelos" referring to the "marrow" or "spinal cord". The term "vaccine" comes from the Latin "vaccinus", meaning "from cows", as the first vaccines were derived from cowpox used to protect against smallpox.

Types

There are two types of polio vaccines: the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Both vaccines are designed to stimulate the body's immune response to poliovirus, thereby preventing the disease.

Usage

The Polio Vaccine is administered as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. It is given in several doses, with the first dose usually given at 2 months of age.

Related Terms

  • Poliomyelitis: An infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting children under 5 years of age.
  • Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): A type of polio vaccine that contains inactivated (killed) poliovirus.
  • Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): A type of polio vaccine that contains live, attenuated (weakened) poliovirus.

See Also

External links

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