Under the Universal Immunization Programme of India, a single intramuscular dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) was introduced into the routine schedule alongside oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). What was the primary rationale for this addition?

• A IPV reduces the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis from OPV ✓
• B IPV provides superior intestinal mucosal immunity compared with OPV
• C IPV can be co-administered with rotavirus vaccine whereas OPV cannot
• D IPV provides protection against non-polio enteroviruses causing AFP

Explanation

OPV remains essential because it induces secretory IgA in the gut and blocks wild virus transmission, but it carries a small risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. Adding one dose of IPV boosts humoral immunity and lowers this risk while preserving the intestinal immunity conferred by OPV. Option B is wrong because OPV, not IPV, is superior for mucosal immunity, which is exactly why both vaccines are used together.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.