At what age is the live polio vaccine typically first administered?

The live polio vaccine, known as the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), is typically first administered at 2 months of age. This timing aligns with the recommendations of public health authorities, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The early introduction of the vaccine is vital for establishing immunity against poliovirus, particularly during the period when infants are most vulnerable to infections.

Polio is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe complications, including paralysis. Immunizing infants at 2 months ensures that they receive protection when they are still receiving passive immunity from maternal antibodies, which gradually wanes over time. The vaccination schedule often includes subsequent doses at intervals to ensure adequate immunity is developed.

The choices reflecting other ages do not align with current immunization guidelines for polio vaccination. For example, administering the vaccine at birth may not be typical due to various factors, including the readiness of the infant for the vaccine and the potential presence of maternal antibodies. Similarly, giving the vaccine at 6 months or 12 months would delay the protection that is ideally provided at the 2-month mark, leaving infants at risk during their critical early months of life. Therefore, the choice that states the vaccine is first given at 2 months