Question
Can polio vaccine oral drops be given with warm water?
Answer
Using warm water to administer the vaccine will not kill the virus in the vaccine. Here are some important points to remember when taking polio vaccine oral drops: First, ensure that the polio vaccine oral drops are kept cold before taking them. Once the vaccine is taken out of the refrigerator, it should be taken immediately. Each vaccination site should have at least one cooler bag (or cup) to ensure that the vaccine is kept cold during transportation. Second, pay attention to hygiene. Do not use your hands directly to take the oral drops. Use a sanitized spoon or sanitized paper towel to feed them. Third, be mindful of safety. When taking the oral drops, crush them with a spoon or dissolve them in water at 37°C or below (not hot water) to avoid accidentally inhaling them into the lungs and causing breathing difficulties. For children of a larger age group, the polio vaccine oral drops can be taken like ordinary candy, chewed and swallowed after dissolving in water, followed by a sip of cold water or sugar water to ensure that the vaccine is fully ingested. Fourth, polio vaccine oral drops are live vaccines and should not be taken with hot water or mixed with other drinks, as this could kill the vaccine virus. It is recommended to wait half an hour after taking the vaccine before eating hot foods. Breast milk contains antibodies that can interfere with the body’s natural immune response, so it is advised to stop breastfeeding for half an hour before and after taking the vaccine. If vomiting occurs during administration, it should be taken again.