Ipol
The polio vaccine, also known as the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV or IPOL), is a vaccine that lowers your risk of getting infected with poliovirus. It can be injected into the muscle or under the skin. It's a routine vaccine that's given to all children in the United States, but some adults might need to get it as well.
What is IPOL?
What is IPOL used for?
Prevention of polio in adults and children 2 months of age and older
How IPOL works
IPOL is an inactivated vaccine that protects you from 3 types of poliovirus, which is a virus that causes a condition known as poliomyelitis (or polio). The vaccine helps your body's immune system make antibodies against the virus, which will attack the virus if it ever infects your body.
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What are the side effects of IPOL?
Common Side Effects
- Feeling irritated (up to 65%)
- Tiredness (up to 61%)
- Swelling and tenderness at injection site (up to 30%)
- Low appetite (up to 17%)
Other Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Redness at injection site
- Fever
- Muscle and joint pain
- Rash
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of IPOL
Pros
Works well to protect against poliovirus
Can be given at the same time as some other vaccines
The vial stopper isn't made with latex, so good for people with latex allergies
If your child missed a dose, don't need to start the vaccine series all over again
Cons
Children need 4 doses total
Needs to be injected into the muscle or under the skin
Can cause redness and soreness at the injection site
Must be given by a healthcare professional at a provider’s office, clinic, or pharmacy
Pharmacist tips for IPOL
Wait until you are healthy to get IPOL. This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold, you might still be able to get IPOL. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether you can get this vaccine.
Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including IPOL, to make sure you're receiving all your vaccines on schedule. This is especially important if your child has received a combination vaccine that contains a poliovirus vaccine (e.g., Kinrix, Pentacel, Pediarix)
Just like all vaccines, receiving IPOL doesn't guarantee that you or your child won't get infected with poliovirus. Polio is no longer a problem in the United States, but it's still around in other countries. Take steps to protect yourself if you're traveling to a country where there is polio, such as washing your hands very well with soap and water before eating or drinking and after using the bathroom.
Read the vaccine information statement for more information on IPOL.
If you experience a severe reaction to IPOL, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Frequently asked questions about IPOL
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What are the risks and warnings for IPOL?
IPOL can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
Risk factors: Allergy to 2-phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B
As with any vaccine, there's a small chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to IPOL. Tell your provider if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients listed above because these are in IPOL. Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Lower response to IPOL
Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
If you have a weakened immune system because of a medical condition or medications, you can still get IPOL. Please be aware that the vaccine might not work as well for you compared with people who have a healthy immune system. Take extra precaution to protect yourself from polio, such as washing your hands very well with soap and water after you use the bathroom or before you eat or cook.
IPOL dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 vial | $51.29 | $51.29 |
Typical dosing for IPOL
Children: IPOL is given as a 4-dose series. The typical dose is 1 injection into the muscle or under the skin at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years old.
Adults: IPOL is given as a 3-dose series to adults who've never been vaccinated before and are at high risk for polio. The typical dose is 1 injection into the muscle or under the skin at month 0, then a second injection 1 to 2 months later, then a third injection 6 to 12 months after the second.
How much does IPOL cost?
IPOL contraindications
Acute (sudden, short-term) febrile illness (e.g., rapid onset of fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, chills)
Allergy to any component of the vaccine, including 2-phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde, neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B.
IPOL images
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