During the first half of the 20th century, poliomyelitis was a major cause of serious illness and death throughout the world. It is still a significant health problem in some developing countries. Before a vaccine was available, more than 20,000 cases of polio were reported in the United States per year. The primary signs of polio include muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue; ultimately, the illness can lead to paralysis and even death.
Vaccination of all children is recommended to avoid new outbreaks. In the United States, the polio vaccine is made from a killed virus and is injected (called IPV). In other countries, where polio disease is still a major problem, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is given.
Timing and dose
The injected polio vaccination series in the United States consists of four doses; the first and second doses are given at 2 and 4 months of age. The third dose is usually given at 6 to 18 months of age, and a fourth dose is routinely given at 4 to 6 years, before school entry. Children who miss a dose should be given the remaining doses.
Polio vaccine precautions
The injected polio vaccine should not be given to children who have a severe allergy to antibiotics contained in the vaccine, including neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B. There is little to no risk of side effects (eg, swelling at injection site). There is no risk of developing poliomyelitis with the IPV vaccine currently used in the United States.
Polio vaccine effectiveness
When three doses of the polio vaccine are given, 99 percent of children develop immunity. Fortunately, even the one percent of children in the United States who do not develop immunity after being vaccinated are unlikely to develop polio. This is because of "herd immunity", meaning that most people who have been vaccinated against polio are immune, which protects even those who are not immune.
Vaccination of all children is recommended to avoid new outbreaks. In the United States, the polio vaccine is made from a killed virus and is injected (called IPV). In other countries, where polio disease is still a major problem, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is given.
Timing and dose
The injected polio vaccination series in the United States consists of four doses; the first and second doses are given at 2 and 4 months of age. The third dose is usually given at 6 to 18 months of age, and a fourth dose is routinely given at 4 to 6 years, before school entry. Children who miss a dose should be given the remaining doses.
Polio vaccine precautions
The injected polio vaccine should not be given to children who have a severe allergy to antibiotics contained in the vaccine, including neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B. There is little to no risk of side effects (eg, swelling at injection site). There is no risk of developing poliomyelitis with the IPV vaccine currently used in the United States.
Polio vaccine effectiveness
When three doses of the polio vaccine are given, 99 percent of children develop immunity. Fortunately, even the one percent of children in the United States who do not develop immunity after being vaccinated are unlikely to develop polio. This is because of "herd immunity", meaning that most people who have been vaccinated against polio are immune, which protects even those who are not immune.
