# Polio (IPV)

> The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

Source: https://medova.health/en/knowledge/vaccines/polio-ipv · Language: en

## Vaccine Information

- Type: Inactivated
- Administration: Injection
- WHO Code: IPV
- Travel Recommended: Yes

## Overview

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine preventing poliomyelitis.

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine preventing poliomyelitis.

All children, travelers to areas with active polio transmission.

**Pregnancy: Safe.**

IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine) is safe during pregnancy.


- Can be administered if the pregnant woman is at risk of polio exposure (travel to endemic areas: Afghanistan, Pakistan).

- No teratogenic effects observed.

- Pregnant women who need polio vaccination should receive IPV, never OPV.

**Breastfeeding: Safe — no restrictions.**

IPV is an inactivated vaccine and is completely safe during breastfeeding. No modification to breastfeeding schedule required.

**Pediatric use:**


- Part of routine childhood immunization schedule worldwide.

- Schedule (US/ACIP): 4 doses at 2, 4, 6–18 months, 4–6 years. Often given as part of combination vaccines (hexavalent: DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB).

- Minimum age: 6 weeks.

- IPV does **not** cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) — this risk exists only with OPV.

- Immunocompromised children must receive IPV (never OPV).

- Dose: 0.5 mL IM or SC (all ages).

**Geriatric use:**


- Adults with a completed primary series need only **1 lifetime booster** if traveling to polio-endemic areas.

- Unvaccinated adults: 3-dose series (0, 1–2, 6–12 months).

- No upper age limit. No dose adjustment required.

- Polio eradication is near-complete — endemic transmission persists only in Afghanistan and Pakistan (as of 2024).

## Side Effects

- Anaphylaxis (Very rare) — Serious
- Arthralgia (Uncommon)
- Chills (Uncommon)
- Diarrhea (Uncommon)
- Dizziness (Uncommon)
- Drowsiness (Common)
- Excessive crying (Common)
- Fatigue (Common)
- Febrile seizure (Very rare) — Serious
- Fever (Common)
- Generalized rash (Rare)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (Very rare) — Serious
- Headache (Common)
- Injection site induration (Common)
- Injection site nodule (Uncommon)
- Injection site pain (Very common)
- Injection site redness (Very common)
- Injection site swelling (Very common)
- Irritability (Very common)
- Loss of appetite (Common)
- Lymphadenopathy (Uncommon)
- Malaise (Common)
- Myalgia (Common)
- Nausea (Uncommon)
- Paresthesia (Very rare)
- Pruritus (Rare)
- Urticaria (Rare)
- Vomiting (Common)

## Contraindications

- Acute febrile illness (Precaution)
- Age below minimum recommended (Absolute)
- Anaphylaxis after previous dose (Absolute)
- Allergy to vaccine component (Absolute)
- Bleeding disorder (Precaution)
- Moderate immunosuppression (Precaution)
- Neomycin allergy (Relative)
- Pregnancy (Relative)
- Streptomycin allergy (Relative)

## Vaccination Schedule

| Dose | Brand | Days from previous | Age range |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dose 1 | IPOL | — | 2 months+ (max: 2 months) |
| Dose 2 | IPOL | 60d | 4 months+ (max: 4 months) |
| Dose 3 | IPOL | 60d | 6 months+ (max: 2 years) |
| Dose 4 | IPOL | 1095d | 4 years+ (max: 6 years) |

## FAQ

**How many doses of Polio (IPV) are needed?**

The Polio (IPV) vaccination schedule consists of 4 dose(s).

**What are the side effects of Polio (IPV)?**

Common side effects include: Anaphylaxis, Arthralgia, Chills, Diarrhea, Dizziness.

**Who should not get Polio (IPV)?**

Contraindications include: Acute febrile illness, Age below minimum recommended, Anaphylaxis after previous dose, Allergy to vaccine component, Bleeding disorder.

## Prevents

- [Poliomyelitis](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/diseases/polio)

## Indications

- [Finland](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/finland): Recommended
- [Myanmar](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/myanmar): Recommended
- [Saudi Arabia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/saudi-arabia): conditional
- [South Sudan](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/south-sudan): Recommended
- [Malaysia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/malaysia): Recommended
- [Qatar](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/qatar): Recommended
- [Nicaragua](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/nicaragua): Recommended
- [Saint Vincent and the Grenadines](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines): Recommended
- [Colombia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/colombia): Recommended
- [Sweden](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/sweden): Recommended

## Sources & content verification

- Data sources: WHO Position Papers 2024 + CDC Pink Book 2024 + EMA SmPC
- [www.who.int](https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers)

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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

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