OPV Full Form – Oral Polio Vaccine

OPV Full Form is Oral Polio Vaccine. It is an important medicine that protects children from a serious illness called polio. Polio (poliomyelitis) is caused by a virus that can affect the nervous system and cause paralysis (not being able to move parts of your body). Polio may also cause death. Because of how serious polio is, it should be prevented, especially in children.

The Oral Polio Vaccine is one of the best methods of protecting children from polio. The OPV is different than most vaccines. Most vaccines are given by injection. The OPV is given orally, as drops. Because the OPV is given as drops, it is easy to give to babies and young children, without causing any pain or discomfort. The OPV contains a weak form of the poliovirus that won’t make the child sick but will allow the child’s body to learn how to fight the virus (immunity).

When a child takes the OPV, the body produces protection against polio. The next time a child is exposed to the virus, if the OPV was successful, that means the child will be able to produce protection against the wild poliovirus, and the child will not get sick. Not only does this protect the vaccinated child, but it also contributes to herd immunity in the community that helps to stop the spread of the virus.

Incredible strides have been made globally because of OPV to reduce polio in populations. In many countries, there have been no polio cases at all due to vaccination campaigns that made use of OPV. In fact, since India has used OPV broadly to vaccinate millions of children through national immunization programs, it also made a statement that it was polio-free in 2014.

The OPV full form in medical language is also called the Oral Polio Vaccine, and in Hindi, it is known as मौखिक पोलियो टीका. It is a critical part of routine immunization schedules for infants and young children.

In this article, you will learn more about the OPV full form, how this vaccine works, why it is important, its types, vaccination schedule, and common questions about it. Understanding OPV helps parents and communities protect children from the harmful effects of polio and support global health efforts.

What is OPV?

The OPV full form in medical is Oral Polio Vaccine. It is a vaccine given by mouth to protect people, especially children, from the polio virus. Polio is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and can lead to permanent paralysis.

OPV ka full form in Hindi is मौखिक पोलियो टीका (Moukhik Polio Teeka), meaning the polio vaccine given through the mouth.

OPV Vaccine Full Form and Its Importance

• OPV vaccine full form is Oral Polio Vaccine.
• This vaccine contains a weakened version of the poliovirus.
• When given, it helps the body produce immunity without causing the disease.
• It is easy to administer because it is given orally (through the mouth), not by injection.
• OPV is very effective in preventing the spread of poliovirus in communities.

Do Check: TET Full Form

How Does OPV Work?

The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) contains a weakened but live poliovirus. When a child takes this vaccine, the weakened virus stimulates the immune system. The body then produces antibodies, which protect the child from future infections by the poliovirus.

Because OPV is taken by mouth, it is easy to give to young children without needing needles, making mass immunization easier in large populations.

Types of Polio Vaccines

There are mainly two types of polio vaccines:

Why is OPV Important?

• Polio can cause paralysis and even death.
• OPV has helped in reducing polio cases worldwide by more than 99% since its introduction.
• It helps in achieving herd immunity, meaning even unvaccinated people get protection when enough people are vaccinated.
• OPV also stops the spread of poliovirus in communities by reducing virus shedding.

Do Check: H2O Full Form

Schedule for OPV Vaccination

The OPV is generally given to children in multiple doses. Here is a simple schedule used in many countries including India:

Advantages of OPV Full Form

Disadvantages of OPV Full Form

How OPV Helped India Become Polio-Free

India was declared polio-free in 2014, thanks largely to the extensive use of OPV in nationwide immunization drives. Millions of children received OPV doses, which helped stop the transmission of the poliovirus.

This success story shows how the OPV full form — Oral Polio Vaccine — is more than just a name; it is a lifesaving tool that helped protect millions of children from paralysis and death.

Do Check: NPD Full Form

Conclusion

The OPV full form is Oral Polio Vaccine, and it is a powerful weapon in the fight against polio. This vaccine is safe, easy to administer, and has helped eliminate polio from many parts of the world, including India. Understanding the OPV full form in medical terms and in Hindi helps parents and communities appreciate the importance of vaccinating their children on time.

FAQs on OPV Full Form

What is the full form of OPV?

The full form of OPV is Oral Polio Vaccine, which is a vaccine given by mouth to protect against poliovirus.

What is OPV full form in medical terms?

In medical terms, OPV stands for Oral Polio Vaccine, used to immunize children against polio.

What is the OPV vaccine full form in Hindi?

The OPV vaccine full form in Hindi is मौखिक पोलियो टीका (Moukhik Polio Teeka).

How is OPV administered?

OPV is administered orally as drops in the child’s mouth, making it easy and painless compared to injections.

Why is OPV important for children?

OPV protects children from poliomyelitis, a disease that can cause paralysis, helping to eradicate polio globally.

How many doses of OPV are given to a child?

Usually, OPV is given in multiple doses: at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks, with additional boosters during immunization campaigns.