Polio vaccine

About the vaccine

The vaccine contains several antigens: inactivated poliomyelitis viruses (three types of virus).  It also contains sucrose, amino acids, aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant, phenoxyethanol, trometamol, and traces of residues of the production process (neomycin, streptomycin, polymyxin B).

• There are two types of polio vaccines:

1. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV): contains killed polio viruses and given by intramuscular injection. Inactivated vaccine is usually administered in combination with other vaccines.
2. Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is weakened live polio virus given in drops into the mouth.

• WHO recommends to stop using polio live vaccines during the next few years and continue only with the killed vaccine. So all countries started to inactivated polio vaccine.
• Vaccine is administrated in 3-4 doses (with at least one dose of IPV) at 6-8 weeks and two more doses at intervals of 4-8 weeks and 4^th dose at 4-6 years.
• Both OPV and IPV may be co-administered with other infant vaccines.
• Your child must not get the vaccine if: 
• Reacted to a previous dose of the vaccine with a severe allergic reaction or is allergic to some of the components of the vaccine.
• If your child has an acute illness with a fever, vaccination should be postponed until recovery. The common cold is not a reason to delay vaccination

Possible rare side effects such as injection site reactions (redness, swelling, tenderness, pain, or a lump), fever, irritability, tiredness, drowsiness, joint’s pain are normal and will go away soon. If you see something that concerns you, call your doctor.

One of the important protective measures regular hand washing to prevent transmission by dirty hands.