What is the purpose of the Inactivated Polio Virus (IPV) vaccine?

The purpose of the Inactivated Polio Virus (IPV) vaccine is to provide immunity against polio. This vaccine contains inactivated (killed) poliovirus strains, which stimulate an immune response without causing disease. As a result, individuals who are vaccinated develop antibodies that protect them from poliovirus infections, significantly reducing the incidence of polio and its associated complications, such as paralysis.

In contrast, other options do not relate to the IPV vaccine's function. Treating existing polio infections is not viable with a vaccine since vaccines are preventative. Additionally, the IPV vaccine does not confer immunity against mumps or measles, as those are targeted by different vaccines (the MMR vaccine for mumps and measles). This establishes that the primary goal of the IPV vaccine is specifically to prevent polio.