Polio Vaccine (IPV)
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Key takeaways
- Prevents: Poliomyelitis (polio), Paralytic polio
- Schedule: 4 doses starting at 2 months
- Effectiveness: IPV is 99-100% effective against paralytic polio after the complete series of 4 doses.
- Most common side effect: Redness, swelling, or soreness at injection site
How it works
The Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) contains killed (inactivated) poliovirus of all three serotypes (types 1, 2, and 3). Because the virus is completely inactivated, it cannot cause polio. When injected, the killed virus stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against all three poliovirus types. These antibodies provide protection if the person is later exposed to wild poliovirus, preventing the virus from reaching the nervous system and causing paralysis.
Recommended schedule
| Dose | Age |
|---|---|
| Dose 1 | 2 months |
| Dose 2 | 4 months |
| Dose 3 | 6-18 months |
| Dose 4 | 4-6 years |
Side effects
Common (mild, resolve in 1-2 days)
- Redness, swelling, or soreness at injection site
- Mild fussiness
- Low-grade fever
- Decreased appetite
- Drowsiness
Serious (very rare)
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — extremely rare
- IPV cannot cause polio (it contains only killed virus)
- No serious adverse effects have been confirmed in large-scale studies
Who should NOT get this vaccine
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of IPV
- Severe allergy to neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B
- Note: Mild illness, current antibiotic use, and prematurity are NOT contraindications
Effectiveness
IPV is 99-100% effective against paralytic polio after the complete series of 4 doses. Two doses provide at least 90% protection, and three doses provide at least 99% protection against all three poliovirus types.
Available brands
IPOL
Sanofi Pasteur
Pentacel
Sanofi Pasteur (combination DTaP-IPV/Hib)
Kinrix
GlaxoSmithKline (combination DTaP-IPV)
Vaxelis
MCM Vaccine Company (hexavalent combination)
Myths vs. facts
Myth: “Polio has been eradicated so the vaccine is no longer needed”
Fact: Polio has NOT been fully eradicated worldwide. Wild poliovirus still circulates in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Additionally, cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus (from oral polio vaccine used in other countries) have been detected in wastewater in several countries. As long as polio exists anywhere, unvaccinated children everywhere remain at risk.
Myth: “The polio vaccine can give my child polio”
Fact: The IPV used in the United States contains completely killed (inactivated) virus and CANNOT cause polio under any circumstances. The older oral polio vaccine (OPV), which used live attenuated virus, has not been used in the US since 2000.
Myth: “Polio wasn't really that bad”
Fact: At its peak in the US (1952), polio paralyzed or killed over 57,000 people in a single year, mostly children. Many survivors spent their lives in iron lungs or with permanent paralysis. Polio still has no cure — only prevention through vaccination.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child get polio from the vaccine?
Why do we still vaccinate against polio if it is rare?
What is the difference between IPV and OPV?
Is my child protected after the first dose?
Sources
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources
Bottom line
The Polio Vaccine (IPV) (IPV) is safe, well-studied, and recommended by the CDC, AAP, and WHO. Talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about timing or your child's specific health needs.
Choosing to vaccinate your child is one of the most important things you can do to protect their health. If you have concerns, your pediatrician is always happy to talk through them with you.