Inactivated Polio Vaccine

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is polio?

• Polio, also called poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease that mainly affects the central nervous system (CNS). The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Nerves from the brain and spinal cord help your body move and feel. In polio, part of the CNS gets damaged which may lead to paralysis (inability to move) or even death.
  
  
• Polio is caused by different kinds of poliovirus (germ). The virus usually enters the body through the mouth and exits with bowel movements. Polio is spread from person to person by eating or drinking contaminated (dirty) food. Contaminated things, including hands, may also pass the virus when these are put into the mouth. Sometimes, the poliovirus may enter the body through the respiratory (airway) tract. A person may also get infected by breathing in the virus. Poliovirus may either grow in the intestine (bowel) or the pharynx (throat). Polio may be prevented by vaccinating children with the polio vaccine.

What is the polio vaccine? The polio vaccine helps decrease your risk of becoming infected with polio. Vaccines work by causing your body to make antibodies against certain germs. Antibodies are special cells in your blood that protect the body and fight infection. After you receive the polio vaccine, these antibodies remember the polio germs. Once you are exposed to these types of germs, your body quickly recognizes them. The antibodies become active and your body is better able to fight the germs. There are two types of polio vaccines, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

• Oral polio vaccine: This vaccine is made from live polio germs that are weakened. It is given as drops in the mouth that are swallowed. OPV goes through the digestive tract and out of the anus (rear end). This keeps the disease from being spread to other people. In very few cases, OPV can cause actual infection to the patient. OPV is no longer recommended in the United States but may be used in certain conditions. This type of vaccine is especially used in cases where a large number of people are infected.
  
  
• Inactivated polio vaccine: This vaccine is made from killed (dead) polio germs. It is injected under the skin or into the muscle. Depending on the age, the shot may be given into the leg or arm. IPV is the shot recommended in the United States today.

Who should get the inactivated polio vaccine? Children usually receive the IPV. Adults (18 years old and above) often do not need to have the vaccination except those at higher risk of getting polio. Adults who are likely to be exposed to the virus include the following:

• Health caregivers who may treat or are in close contact with those who could have polio.
  
  
• Laboratory workers who might need to handle the polio virus.
  
  
• People travelling to areas where polio is common.

When should the inactivated polio vaccine be given? The number and schedule (time) of IPV doses will depend on the person's age and whether previous shots have been received. IPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

• Children: Children usually get four doses of IPV, with each dose given eight weeks apart. The first dose may be given as early as six weeks of age. In cases where catching up of the vaccine is needed, children may receive an IPV dose every four weeks. The fourth dose may be given as early as 18 months of age. Sometimes, three doses may be enough if the third dose was given on or before age four. IPV is usually given to children as follows:
  
  
  • The first dose at two months old.
    
    
  • A dose at four months old.
    
    
  • A dose at 6 to 18 months old.
    
    
  • A booster shot at 4 to 6 years of age.
  
  
• Adults:
  
  
  • No polio vaccine received: Three doses of IPV should be given to adults who have not received any polio shot. Three doses of IPV should be given as follows:
    
    
    • The first dose at anytime.
      
      
    • The second dose after 1 to 2 months.
      
      
    • The third dose 6 to 12 months after the second.
    
    
  • Incomplete polio immunization: If only one or two doses of polio vaccine were received, the rest of the recommended doses should be given. The schedule is continued from the last dose regardless of how long ago this has been received.
    
    
  • Received three or more doses of polio vaccine: A booster shot of IPV may be given to adults who got three or more doses of IPV or OPV in the past.

Who should not get the inactivated polio vaccine? People who are at a higher risk of having bad effects from IPV should not get the vaccine. These people may not get the IPV at all or they may need to receive the vaccine at a later date. This will depend on the condition that is putting the person at risk of having a bad effect.

• People who should not get IPV: These include those who have a life-threatening allergic reaction to one of the following things:
  
  
  • Antibiotic medicines, especially neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B.
    
    
  • Previous shot of the polio vaccine.
  
  
• People who should wait to get IPV: Getting an IPV shot should be delayed if one of the following conditions is present:
  
  
  • Being moderately or severely (badly) ill with or without fever. Wait until you recover from your illness. Having diarrhea, colds, or other mild diseases should not stop you from getting an IPV shot.
    
    
  • Being pregnant. Pregnant women should wait to get the vaccine until after giving birth. However, if protection against polio is needed right away, IPV may be given.

What are the risks of getting the inactivated polio vaccine? As with any medicine, this vaccine has some risks. Some people get a sore area where the shot was given. The vaccine may also cause allergy. As with any vaccine, there is a very small chance that it could cause serious harm or death.

What are the signs and symptoms of a serious reaction to the inactivated polio vaccine? If a serious allergic reaction would occur, it would usually happen within minutes after receiving the vaccine.

• Hives (red, itchy bumps with burning feeling on the skin) that have spread all over the body.
  
  
• Redness or swelling of the face.
  
  
• Swelling of the mouth and throat.
  
  
• Weakness, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• Wheezing or trouble breathing.

What should I do if I develop a serious reaction to inactivated polio vaccine?

• If you develop signs and symptoms of a serious reaction, seek medical care immediately . If you are having an allergic reaction, lie down with your legs up and have someone drive you to the nearest hospital or call 911. Make sure you tell the caregivers that you recently received the inactivated polio vaccine. Tell them the date and time it was given. Ask your caregiver to put in a Vaccine Adverse Event Report or contact the following:
  • Vaccine Adverse Event Report
    Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
    1401 Rockville Pike, Ste 200N
    Rockville, MD 20852-1448
    Phone: 1-800-835-4709
    Web Address: www.fda.gov/cber/vaers/vaers.htm
    
  
  
  
• If you were injured after receiving IPV, you may file a claim to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program . This is a federal program that helps pay for the care of anyone seriously injured or harmed by a vaccine. Contact information:
  • Health Resources and Services Administration National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
    Parklawn Building, Room 11C-26, 5600 Fishers Lane
    Rockville , MD 20857
    Phone: 1-800-338-2382
    Web Address: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/
    

Where can I get more information about IPV?

• The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
  1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
  Atlanta, GA 30333
  Phone: 1-800-232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
  

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1-847-434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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