Immunization : Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)

Vaccines (or needles) are the best way to protect against some very serious infections. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends routine immunization.

This vaccine protects children and adults against polio. Vaccination against polio is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario (unless exempted).

Polio is a dangerous disease that people can get from drinking water or eating food with the polio germ in it. It is also spread from person to person. This disease can cause nerve damage and paralyze a person for life. It can paralyze muscles used for breathing, talking, eating and walking. It can also cause death.

The vaccine protects 99 percent of people who get all their needles.

IPV can be given alone or in combination with other vaccines. It is included in the combination vaccines routinely given to infants and children. Your doctor will decide which vaccines you need.

This vaccine is not given to adults routinely. Only adults who are likely to come in contact with the polio germ need to receive the polio vaccine. These adults include :

• people who travel to other countries where polio is common;
• laboratory workers who handle specimens that may contain the polio germ;
• health care workers who look after patients who may have the polio germ.

Yes. Side effects of this polio vaccine (IPV) are mild and last for only few days after getting the needle. Some people get mild pain, swelling and redness at the spot where the needle was given.

There is no risk of a pregnant woman or anyone else catching polio from someone who has been recently vaccinated with this vaccine as it is a killed vaccine. You should always discuss the benefits and risks of any vaccine with your doctor.

Call your doctor if any of the following symptoms develop within three days of getting the needle :

• hives;
• swelling of the face or mouth;
• trouble breathing;
• very pale colour and serious drowsiness;
• other serious problems.

The doctor may decide not to give the IPV vaccine if the person has :

• a high fever or serious infection worse than a cold;
• a severe allergy to antibiotics called neomycin or polymyxin B;
• a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to this vaccine;
• a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine.

Talk to your doctor or call your local public health unit for more information.

After you receive any immunization, make sure the doctor updates your personal immunization record such as the "Yellow Card". The local health unit requires that parents provide up to date immunization information for all school children. As an adult it is valuable to know when you were last immunized in case you sustain an injury for which tetanus immunization is recommended or are traveling to a country for which polio immunization is recommended. Keep your record in a safe place !

March 2002