It is true that there is global shortage of IPV. IPV is one vaccine I would be very keen for every baby to have, especially in new scenario where polio has virtually ended in her India. Some government institutions are offering IPV, and at the same time, some private practitioners have old stocks of IPV, which they are using judiciously to immunize maximum number of kids.

Opv- oral polio vaccine. Ipv- injectable polio vaccine. Oral vaccine is a live vaccine ,it is less effective but easy to give as it is given orally. it has live polio virus which is given in very less dose so as it gives immunity.but it has potential of causing polio . Whereas Ipv- is inactivated polio vaccine .It's not live ,so can't do any harm and is more effective than opv. Ipv- is now used but previously opv has been used for years.opv gives a variable protection - that means some kids are protected more and some less but if ipv- is not available then opv is giving sufficient protection and you should try to get 2 doses of ipv- also by 18 months of age and continue giving opv with every vaccination visit to your doctor.

Its not mandatory. Baby can have hexaxim which has IPV which can be given at 18 months.

Definitely.... It should be given 2 doses in 8 week interval and the one booster at one and a half year of age (it will give nearly 100%Protection).... OPV is not that much effective.....