He Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) made an urgent call to fathers and mothers to vaccinate their children against poliomyelitisespecially those who have not yet received full immunization, due to the contagion risks with travelers from countries where the virus is still present.
Although polio was eradicated in America more than 30 years ago, the risk persists due to possible imported cases.
The doctor María Mercedes Orozco Lezamacoordinator of Medical Programs in the IMSS Hospital Division, emphasized that the polio vaccine is the only effective defense against this disease, since once administered in several doses it confers lifetime protection.
He indicated that the IMSS offers this immunization to children under five years of age in two presentations: the oral vaccine drops and the hexavalentwhich is administered by intramuscular injection.
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The hexavalent vaccinewhich protects against six diseases—diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae, polio, and hepatitis B—is given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with an additional booster at 18 months.
Every year, during National Public Health Conferences and continuously in its Family Medicine Units, the IMSS applies more than 8 million doses of vaccines, including antipolio.
Dr. Orozco pointed out that to receive the vaccine, children must not have fever or allergies to its components. If under medical treatment, parents should consult their pediatrician first.
Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious viral disease that invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis within hours.
Calls on Social Security to immunize girls and boys who are not vaccinated against #poliomyelitis.
— IMSS (@Tu_IMSS) November 16, 2024
Initial symptoms include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Stiffness in the neck
- Pain in extremities
- In severe cases, the disease can lead to death
The main transmission route It is fecal-oral, although it can also be spread through contaminated water and food.
Orozco recalled that, although currently there is no cure for poliovaccination is a fundamental preventive measure. “Vaccination against polio, applied in several doses, offers lifelong protection, avoiding the devastating effects of this disease,” he said.
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