Why is OPV preferred over IPV? What is the role of IPV?
OPV is cheaper and being given orally is more acceptable. It is safe with virtually no side effects. It induces both local gut as well as systemic immunity. It leads to excellent herd immunity. Mass vaccination is easier with oral vaccine. IPV is available in injectable form & is costlier. It can precipitate paralytic polio in a child who is in incubation period of wild polio especially during epidemics. Hence OPV is preferred our IPV for routine and mass vaccination.
