poliovirus vaccine, oral

Poliovirus vaccine, oral (OPV) is a live attenuated biologic vaccine developed from the Sabin poliovirus strains. It consists of live attenuated poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3, which are harvested from monkey kidney cell cultures or human diploid cell lines. The vaccine works by replicating in the intestinal tract, thereby inducing both mucosal (secretory IgA) and systemic (serum IgG) immunity. This dual action not only protects the individual from paralytic poliomyelitis but also prevents the shedding of wild poliovirus, contributing to herd immunity. Historically, OPV has been the primary tool for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative due to its ease of oral administration and low cost. However, because the attenuated virus can occasionally revert to a neurovirulent form, it carries a small risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) and can lead to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks in under-vaccinated populations. Consequently, many countries have transitioned to the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) for routine immunization.

Brand names

OrimuneBiopolioEupolioSabin

Other names

oral poliovirus vaccineSabin vaccinetrivalent oral poliovirus vaccine