The number of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) doses a child receives varies, but there's a primary schedule with additional doses given during national campaigns.
Primary OPV Doses
Based on the provided reference, the standard OPV schedule includes:
- OPV 0: Given at birth.
- OPV 1: Given at 6 months.
- OPV 2: Given at 9 months.
- OPV 3: Given between 4-6 years of age.
This totals four primary doses of OPV.
Additional OPV Doses
- Beyond the primary doses, children under 5 years old receive additional OPV doses during pulse polio campaigns. These campaigns aim to boost immunity and help eradicate polio.
Summary of OPV Doses
| Dose | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| OPV 0 | At birth | Initial protection |
| OPV 1 | 6 months | Builds immunity |
| OPV 2 | 9 months | Builds immunity |
| OPV 3 | 4-6 years | Booster dose |
| Additional Doses | On all pulse polio days, up to 5 years | Strengthen immunity against polio |
Therefore, a child could receive more than four doses of OPV in their first 5 years due to national immunization campaigns, but will get at least four doses in the standard vaccination schedule.
