Polio Vaccination - Polio Immunization

A vaccine is a shot or oral solution given to protect a person against a life-threatening disease. There are two types of polio vaccines. Inactivated Polio Vaccine, called IPV, is delivered in a shot form. Oral Polio Vaccine, called OPV, is delivered through drops that are swallowed. The OPV is a live vaccine. According to the latest guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, an all IPV vaccine schedule is the schedule of choice for routine immunizations these days. OPV is no longer being used routinely.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

Any child who has not been vaccinated against polio is a candidate for polio immunization. Poliomyelitis, also known as polio, is an infection of the nervous system that may cause severe muscle weakness, paralysis, and even death.

How is the procedure performed?

Most children should receive four doses of the polio vaccine. It is recommended that children receive IPV at the following times:

This series of vaccines gives the strongest protection against the poliovirus. The protection is life-long and the person cannot become a carrier of the virus.

What happens right after the procedure?

Most children who get the shots will not get polio. Once everyone in the world has been vaccinated, polio will disappear. No one will need the polio vaccine. Until that happens, children need to be vaccinated.

After a child has a shot they may feel some soreness and muscle tenderness where the shot was given.

What happens later at home?

Unless there are complications, there is no need for any special care at home.

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

Most children have no problem after receiving IPV.

A child who is allergic to the medications neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B can only receive OPV. If the child has had a serious reaction to a previous polio vaccination or has a moderate to severe illness, the vaccinations may need to be delayed or avoided.

Like any medicine, these vaccines have a small risk of severe allergic reaction including hives, difficulty breathing, or even death.

Overall, the risk from complications of polio outweighs the risks from the vaccine. Unless there are known complications, children should receive the polio vaccine.

Author:Terry Mason, MPH
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:12/16/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:12/16/02

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