Advantages and disadvantages of vaccination against polio | Vaccination against polio

Advantages and disadvantages of vaccination against polio

The advantages of polio vaccination far outweigh the disadvantages of vaccination. The only disadvantage of the vaccination is that it can cause mild but harmless reactions in a few children. Since the changeover from a live vaccine to a dead vaccine has been underway since 1998, an outbreak of the disease is not expected to occur as a result of the vaccination. The nationwide vaccination in Germany and other countries makes it possible to eradicate the potentially life-threatening disease completely in the future. This goal is being pursued for many infectious diseases against which vaccination is possible, but seems most realistic for polio at the moment.

Vaccination against polio in adults

The name “polio” should not make one believe that only children can be infected with the infectious disease: even adults can be affected if there is a lack of vaccination protection. The Standing Commission on Vaccination therefore recommends that, in the absence of vaccination protection, adults should still be vaccinated. A basic immunization plus booster can be made up for in adults, as well as a missed booster in case of a basic immunization received as a child. Especially when traveling to risk areas, a vaccination should be made up for.

Prognosis of polio

The mild form of “minor illness” often leads to complete, symptom-free healing. The lethality rate of “paralytic poliomyelitis” was previously 5-7%. Peripheral pareses decrease only very slowly.

Physiotherapy and optimal positioning are necessary to fully restore motor function. The regression of the paralysis symptoms can take up to 1.5 years. Bubble poliomyelitis, on the other hand, has a very poor prognosis. Late effects of polio can include joint contractures, muscle atrophies, leg length differences and arm length differences, osteoporosis and scoliosis.