A question for clinical immunologists and pediatricians,
Regarding the oral polio vaccine. I understand that OPV
being a live attenuated vaccine, has resulted in occasional cases of
polio in unimmunized contacts of immunized kids. Are there any formal
recommendations in the US for vaccination of such contacts( like
parents, or day care workers who change diapers)? An unimmunized contact
I know, was advised against handling the immunized baby. Is this advice
warranted? If so, how long is the virus excreted in the faeces (& hence,
caution is required)?
P.S.: I come from India where a large majority of presently immunized
kids with unimmunized parents exist. I have not heard such advice being
given by healthcare workers even once, myself being a healthcare
professional( am no longer a clinician). Is this a big mistake or not?
Either reply on this newsgroup or email me at deepav at u.washington.edu
Thanks in advance.
Deepa
