What to Know About the IPV (Polio) Vaccine
The brain and spine are attacked by the virus called thepolio. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, from a mild case of the flu to a more severe case of paralysis.
Polio vaccines have been around since
Here is more about how it works, when it is typically given, and what you can expect after vaccination.
IPV stands for inactivated polio vaccine. This means it contains poliovirus that has been killed off.
The vaccine must be given in a series of
Before Jan. 1, 2000, the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was the route of vaccination for polio. It involved swallowing a small amount of live virus. Though the vaccine was (and still is) very effective, it caused a small percentage of children (1 in 2.4 million) to develop polio.
The experts have switched to the IPV vaccine because they have eliminated the risk of transmission. The OPV vaccine is still used in other countries.
The IPV vaccine is
Even just 2 doses of the vaccine provide
Vaccines against polio have been so effective that the virus has been eliminated in most parts of the world. For instance, in the 1950s, the United States had more than
Polio is now found mostly in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The
- 2 months.
- 4 months.
- 6 through 18 months old.
- A booster for 4 through 6 months old.
An accelerated dose schedule is available for a younger child if they travel to a country with high transmission of the disease.
What about adults?
Most adults have likely been vaccinated against polio in the past, as it is required to attend public school. But the IPV vaccine may be given again under certain circumstances:
- If you need to travel to areas where it is common.
- If you work in a lab that handles the disease.
- If you treat patients regularly.
- If you are unvaccinated, your child will receive the oral vaccine for the disease.
You can receive the vaccine on its own or in combination with other vaccines if you meet the high risk criteria.
For adults, the vaccine is given as a three-dose series:
- The first dose is always the first one.
- the second dose 1 to 2 months. later
- the third dose another 6 to 12 months. after the second dose
Who should not get the IPV vaccine?
The vaccine is safe for most people.
If you have an allergy to the vaccine, you should talk to a doctor.
You should also not get the vaccine if you’re
Pain or swelling around the injection site is a possible side effect of the IPV vaccine. There may also be a visible or red sore spot after your vaccination.
If you have a history of allergic reactions, there is a
- breathing problems
- rapid heartbeat
- dizziness
- There are bees.
- The facial or throat is swelling.
- weakness
If you experience dizziness, vision changes, or ringing in your ears after you have had the shot, please tell your doctor.
If you have questions about the vaccine or how it might affect you, you should call a doctor.
If polio is eradicated, do you still need the IPV vaccine?
Part of keeping the virus at bay is mass vaccination. It takes just one person with a virus to begin the spread to many people, as the United States has seen with COVID-19. Keeping immunity levels high through vaccination — in this case, with the IPV vaccine — prevents this spread.
Should adults get vaccinated?
Most adults have already been vaccinated against polio, though
If you have not been vaccinated in some time and are at higher risk — healthcare worker, laboratory worker, traveling to an area of high transmission — speak with a doctor about getting vaccinated.
Can the IPV vaccine cause polio?
No. The vaccine contains inactivated polioviruses, which means that the vaccine cannot cause illness.
Why did the U.S. change from OPV to IPV use?
First, the OPV vaccine carries a very small
The United States has not seen the disease in over 30 years. Mass vaccinations have helped to control the virus. The CDC recommends the IPV vaccine for all children and adults in high risk settings.
“Experts don’t know how long protection lasts, so you may need to be boosted depending on your life, like travel or work. If you have questions about the vaccine, you can contact a doctor.”