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Why should oral polio vaccine (OPV) not be taken with food?

Mar 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
The sugar pill vaccine refers to the inactivated poliovirus vaccine. The inactivated poliovirus vaccine generally should not be taken with food, as doing so may affect vaccine absorption, reduce immunogenicity, increase the risk of adverse reactions, interfere with gastrointestinal function, and alter drug metabolism. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance.

     The sugar-coated pill vaccine refers to the inactivated poliovirus vaccine. Inactivated poliovirus vaccine generally should not be taken with food, as doing so may affect vaccine absorption, reduce immunogenicity, increase the risk of adverse reactions, interfere with gastrointestinal function, and alter drug metabolism. If concerned, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

     1. Affecting vaccine absorption: Food in the digestive tract occupies space and increases gastric acid secretion, which may hinder the normal absorption of vaccine components, thus affecting vaccine effectiveness.

     2. Reducing immune response: After eating, more blood flows to the digestive system to process ingested food, which may prevent vaccine components administered via injection or orally from being promptly and effectively recognized and responded to by the immune system, thereby weakening the immune response.

     3. Increase the risk of adverse reactions: Certain components in food may interact with the vaccine, triggering allergic or other adverse reactions. This risk is especially higher in individuals with a history of food allergies.

     4. Interfering with gastrointestinal function: During digestion, the gastrointestinal tract is in an active state. Administering a vaccine at this time may impose additional stress on the gastrointestinal system, causing discomfort such as nausea and vomiting, particularly evident when the vaccine is administered orally.

     5. Altering drug metabolism: The presence of food may affect the function of the liver and kidneys, thereby altering the metabolic process of vaccines and other drugs in the body, leading to fluctuations in the concentration of active vaccine components and making it difficult to establish stable immune protection.

     In addition, it is important to follow medical advice and complete the full course of inactivated poliovirus vaccination on schedule, while monitoring any changes in physical condition and seeking timely medical attention if abnormalities occur.

     [References]

     [1] Liu Yueyue, Zhao Yan, Du Jialiang, et al. Stability of Oral Type 1 and Type 3 Poliovirus Live-Attenuated Vaccines. Chinese Journal of Biologicals, 2019, 32(11): 1195-1200+1205.

     [2] Chen Xi. Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections Associated with Oral Type 1 and Type 3 Poliovirus Live-Attenuated Vaccines. Practical Clinical Nursing Journal, 2017, 2(37): 119+121.

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