QUICK FACTS

WHAT IS POLIO?

Polio is a contagious disease that can be prevented by administering a polio vaccine.

 

HOW MANY DOSES OF ORAL POLIO VACCINE (OPV) DOES A CHILD NEED TO BE FULLY PROTECTED FROM POLIO?

In Ghana, under the Expanded Programme of Immunization, every child must take four doses of OPV and one dose of IPV(injection) as per the National Immunization Schedule which serves as lifelong protection. All children are to be vaccinated during an outbreak of polio regardless of their vaccination status.

 

IS IT SAFE TO GIVE MULTIPLE DOSES OF OPV TO CHILDREN?

It is safe for children to take several doses of the vaccine. Additional doses of the polio vaccine provide strong immunity.

 

IS THERE A CURE FOR POLIO?

There is no cure for polio but it can be prevented through immunization.

 

SOURCES: https://www.unicef.org/ghana/stories/fighting-polio-covid-19-context