OPVllä

OPVllä is a type of oral polio vaccine, which is a vaccine used to prevent polio, a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to paralysis or even death. OPV is administered orally, meaning it is swallowed rather than injected, which makes it particularly effective in areas where healthcare infrastructure is limited. The vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the polio virus, thereby providing protection against future infections.

OPV was developed in the 1950s and has been a cornerstone of global polio eradication efforts. It is administered in two doses, with a third dose given in some regions to boost immunity. The vaccine is safe and effective, with a high rate of success in preventing polio cases. However, it has some limitations, including the potential for the vaccine virus to revert to a virulent form and cause polio, a phenomenon known as vaccine-derived polio (VDP). To mitigate this risk, OPV is often used in conjunction with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which is injected and does not pose the same risk of reversion.

OPV is administered through the World Health Organization's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which aims to provide universal access to essential vaccines. The success of OPV in reducing polio cases has been significant, with the number of polio cases worldwide dropping from an estimated 350,000 in 1988 to fewer than 100 in 2021. This decline has been attributed to the widespread use of OPV and other polio prevention strategies.