Polio Vaccine Inactivated

Polio Vaccine Inactivated (IPV) is a prescription medication used to help prevent polio disease in children and adults.

• This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
• Polio Vaccine, Inactivated (IPV) is available under various brand names: Ipol

Common side effects of the Polio Vaccine, Inactivated (IPV) include:

• redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given.
• low fever.
• joint pain, body aches.
• drowsiness, mild fussiness or crying; or
• vomiting.

Serious side effects of the Polio Vaccine, Inactivated (IPV) include:

• hives. 
• difficulty breathing. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• extreme drowsiness, fainting.
• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
• high fever (within a few hours or a few days after the vaccine).

Rare side effects of Nitrofurantoin include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

IM/SC Solution

• 5 mL/vial

Immunization

Adult dosage

Previously unvaccinated: 

• Administer 0.5 mL per dose for a total of 3 doses given as follows: Two 0.5 mL doses are administered at 1- to 2-month intervals, followed by a third dose 6 to 12 months later. If below 3 months, but at least 2 months are available before protection is needed, 3 doses may be administered at least 1 month apart. If administration must be completed within 1 to 2 months, give 2 doses at least 1 month apart. If below 1 month is available, give 1 dose.

Incompletely vaccinated: 

• Adults with at least 1 previous dose of OPV, below 3 doses of IPV, or a combination of OPV and IPV equaling below 3 doses, administer at least one 0.5 mL dose of IPV. Additional doses to complete the series may be given if time permits.
• Completely vaccinated and at increased risk of exposure: One 0.5 mL dose

Primary immunization

Pediatric dosage

Infants and Children 6 weeks to 47 months: 

• Intramuscular, Subcutaneous: 0.5 mL per dose for a total of 3 doses administered as follows: 2 months, 4 months, and 6 to 18 months of age

Booster immunization

Pediatric dosage

Children 4 to 6 years: 

• Intramuscular, Subcutaneous: 0.5 mL as a single dose; administered at least 6 months from the previous dose

Catch-up immunization

Pediatric dosage

• Infants, Children, and Adolescents 4 months to 18 years:
• Intramuscular, Subcutaneous 0.5 mL per dose for a total of 1 to 4 doses

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Polio Vaccine Inactivated (IPV) has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Polio Vaccine Inactivated (IPV) has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • ofatumumab SC
  • secukinumab
  • siponimod
• Polio Vaccine Inactivated (IPV) has moderate interactions with at least 55 other drugs.
• Polio Vaccine Inactivated (IPV) has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • ozanimod

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• moderate or severe illness with a fever;
• life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing live or inactivated polio virus; or
• allergic to 2-phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Polio Vaccine, Inactivated (IPV)?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Polio Vaccine, Inactivated (IPV)?”

Cautions

• You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
• You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
• Adults who may have received prior polio vaccine(s) should receive 1 or 2 shots, no matter how long it has been since the first vaccination(s).
• Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether this vaccine will harm an unborn baby. However, if you are at high risk for infection with polio during pregnancy, your doctor should determine whether you need this vaccine.
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether the polio vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.