Who should receive IPOL?

IPOL is [recommended as a 4-dose series](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html#birth-15) for all children starting at 2 months of age. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks old. Most adults born in the United States don't need IPOL because they would've already been vaccinated as a child. However, [some adults](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/hcp/recommendations.html) might need it if they've never been vaccinated against polio before or if they're at high risk for infection. These adults can get 1 to 3 doses of IPOL, depending on how many doses of the vaccine they've gotten in the past. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if you need IPOL.

What is oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) and is it still available?

[Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)](https://polioeradication.org/polio-today/polio-prevention/the-vaccines/opv/) is a polio vaccine that's taken by mouth and contains a weakened, live form of the poliovirus. While OPV is still available in [some parts of the world today](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/public/index.html#types-of-polio), it's no longer available in the United States because it led to [vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDVP)](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/hcp/vaccine-derived-poliovirus-faq.html). This resulted in the spread of polio and put some people at risk for serious illness. To prevent VDVP, the United States uses IPOL as the only stand-alone polio vaccine.

Ipol

poliovirus vaccine

Used for Polio

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.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Connie Zheng, PharmD

Last reviewed on January 19, 2022

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.

Drug facts

Common Brands	IPOL, IPV
Drug Class	Vaccine
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

IPOL, IPV

Drug Class

Vaccine

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Side effects of IPOL

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Information about side effects comes from studies that only included children age 2 month, 4 month, and 18 month. Side effects are typically more common in younger children.

Feeling irritated (up to 65%)
Tiredness (up to 61%)
Swelling and tenderness at injection site (up to 30%)
Low appetite (up to 17%)

Less Common Side Effects

Vomiting
Redness at injection site
Fever
Muscle and joint pain
Rash

IPOL serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain

Source: DailyMed

The following IPOL 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):

Fatigue
Fever
Irritability
Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
Poor feeding
Vomiting

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Avg retail price

$81.30(Save 33.68%)

$53.92

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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.

Common questions about Ipol

Ipol is recommended as a 4-dose series for all children starting at 2 months of age. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks old. Most adults born in the United States don't need Ipol because they would've already been vaccinated as a child. However, some adults might need it if they've never been vaccinated against polio before or if they're at high risk for infection. These adults can get 1 to 3 doses of Ipol, depending on how many doses of the vaccine they've gotten in the past. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if you need Ipol.

There are combination vaccines that combines multiple vaccines in one shot. They not only protect against polio, but also multiple other infections. These vaccines are more convenient because they mean fewer shots and less pain for your child. Examples of combination vaccines that also contain a poliovirus vaccine include Kinrix, Pentacel, and Pediarix. Ask your child's provider if these combination vaccines are right for your child.

Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is a polio vaccine that's taken by mouth and contains a weakened, live form of the poliovirus. While OPV is still available in some parts of the world today, it's no longer available in the United States because it led to vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDVP). This resulted in the spread of polio and put some people at risk for serious illness. To prevent VDVP, the United States uses Ipol as the only stand-alone polio vaccine.

It's not known if Ipol causes harm to unborn babies when given to people who are pregnant. It should only be used in pregnancy if the benefits are greater than the risks. If you're pregnant, don't get Ipol until you've talked to your provider first.

If your child missed their scheduled dose of Ipol, your child doesn't need to start the vaccine series all over again. Delays in vaccine dose doesn't mean your child is less protected against polio, as long as they complete their vaccine series in the future. Just continue with the next dose as soon as you're able to schedule it. If you have any questions about when your child should have their next Ipol dose, talk to their provider.

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

The average cost for 1 vial of 0.5ml of IPOL is $53.92 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 33.68% off the average retail price of $81.30.

Vial

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
0.5ml	1 vial	$53.92	$53.92

Typical dosage 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?

To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.

Ipol (brand)

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IPOL contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because IPOL will not be safe for you to take.

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.

News about IPOL

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Ipol