Logan Reed
If you grew up in the US in the 1970s or later, you likely received the polio vaccine as a child. Polio vaccines have been part of routine childhood immunizations in the US since the mid-1950s. Outside of the US, OPV is still used in some countries where the risk of poliovirus is high. However, IPV is the only polio vaccine used in the US since 2000, given as a series of shots. If you did not receive the polio vaccine as a child, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated, especially if you are at high risk of exposure due to your job or travel plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of polio | High, especially if travelling to a country where polio is epidemic or endemic |
| Risk of paralysis | 2 to 10 out of 100 children with polio paralysis die |
| Vaccination status | Unknown, as there is no national vaccination database in the U.S. |
| Recommended course of action | Consult a healthcare provider and get vaccinated if necessary |
| Vaccination options | IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) or OPV (oral polio vaccine) |
| IPV administration | Given as a series of shots in the leg or arm, depending on the patient's age |
| OPV administration | Given by mouth as liquid drops |
| IPV protection | 90% protection after 2 doses, 99% protection after 3 doses |
| OPV protection | Low cost and easy to administer to a large number of people |
| OPV risks | Rare risk of causing polio in people who are not immunized or have weakened immune systems |
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What You'll Learn
How to find out if you received the polio vaccine as a child
If you are unsure whether you received the polio vaccine as a child, there are several ways to find out. Firstly, if your parents are alive, ask them if you received routine vaccinations as a child. If your parents have baby books or other mementos from your early childhood, you may find records that confirm what vaccinations you've had.
You can also try contacting your pediatrician's office to ask for a copy of your medical records. Depending on your age, they may have to dig out your paper records, but they may still have them. If your preschool or elementary school is still operating, it may also have records of its vaccination requirements, and you can confirm whether polio vaccination was required. If it was, it is likely that you received the vaccine.
If you attended high school or college, they may have required a record of your childhood vaccinations, so it is worth checking with them too.
If you are in the United States, there are online registries in some states that allow you to request and access your vaccination records. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York. However, the availability of records depends on the state, and some states require requests to be submitted by fax, email, or mail.
If you are unable to find your records, don't panic. The CDC reassures that repeating vaccinations is safe, so you can simply get vaccinated again. Another option is blood testing, also known as serologic testing, which checks for antibodies in your blood to determine whether you are already immune to polio.
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What to do if you didn't receive the polio vaccine as a child
If you didn't receive the polio vaccine as a child, you should speak to a healthcare professional about getting vaccinated now. While polio vaccination has been part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule for decades, it is also safe for adults to get the vaccine if they did not receive it as a child.
The first step is to find out whether you have been vaccinated. If you grew up in the US in the 1970s or later, there is a good chance you got the polio vaccine, as it has been part of routine childhood immunisations since the vaccine was approved in the mid-1950s. Your high school or college may have required a record of your childhood vaccinations, so you could try contacting them. If you have any baby books or other mementos from your early childhood, you may also find records there.
If you find that you did not get the polio vaccine, or if you are at high risk of exposure because of your job or the countries you visit, the CDC recommends you get vaccinated now. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks and make a plan to get protected.
The polio vaccine is given by injection in the leg or arm, depending on the patient's age. Children usually get a total of four doses of IPV, but sometimes a fifth dose is given as part of a combination vaccine, which is safe. Two doses of IPV provide at least 90% protection, and three doses provide at least 99% protection. IPV is safe and has not been known to cause serious problems. However, there is a chance of mild side effects, such as a fever, pain, redness, or swelling in the area where the shot was given.
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IPV vs OPV
If you grew up in the US in the 1970s or later, you likely received the polio vaccine as a child. Polio vaccines have been part of routine childhood immunizations in the US since the mid-1950s. However, if you suspect that you are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, you should consult your healthcare provider and get vaccinated.
There are two types of polio vaccines: inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). IPV is given as a series of shots and is the polio vaccine that children get in the United States, Canada, Europe, and many other countries where the risk of getting infected with poliovirus is low. IPV contains a killed, or inactivated, poliovirus and cannot cause polio. After someone is given IPV, their body’s immune system makes proteins called antibodies, which can recognize and fight the poliovirus, providing long-lasting immunity. Two doses of IPV provide at least 90% protection, while three doses provide at least 99% protection. IPV may cause mild side effects, such as a fever, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, but these typically go away within a few days.
On the other hand, OPV is given by mouth as a liquid and contains a weakened live vaccine. OPV is no longer used in the United States and many other countries due to the rare risk of causing polio in people who are not immunized or have weakened immune systems. OPV is still used in a few countries with a high risk of poliovirus infection because it is low-cost and easy to administer to large numbers of people. OPV can create immunity in the vaccinated individual and can also spread to others nearby through saliva or feces, providing community protection. However, in rare cases, the live virus in OPV can lead to paralysis in those it spreads to when not enough people in the community are vaccinated.
Since 2000, only IPV has been used in the United States to eliminate the risk of polio variants that can occur with OPV. Children in the United States should receive four doses of IPV as part of their routine childhood immunizations. If you are an adult who is fully vaccinated but at increased risk of poliovirus exposure due to travel or work in a laboratory or healthcare setting, you may receive one lifetime booster dose of IPV.
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The risk of not receiving the polio vaccine
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a severe infectious disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and even death. The poliovirus enters the body through the mouth or nose and multiplies in the throat and intestines. Within 48-72 hours, it enters the bloodstream and spreads to other organs, eventually reaching the central nervous system. While polio has been largely eradicated in many parts of the world, it still poses a risk in areas with low vaccination rates or where the virus is still circulating.
The polio vaccine, known as IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine), has been used in the United States since 2000 and is given as a series of shots. IPV contains a killed or inactivated poliovirus, so it cannot cause polio. After receiving IPV, the body's immune system produces antibodies that provide protection against the virus. Two doses of IPV provide 90% protection, while three doses offer 99% protection. This vaccine is safe and effective, with mild and temporary side effects, such as fever, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
Additionally, not being vaccinated against polio can have broader implications. Unvaccinated individuals can contribute to the spread of the virus within their communities, posing a risk to those who are immunocompromised or unable to receive the vaccine. This includes infants who are too young to be vaccinated and individuals with certain medical conditions. By getting vaccinated, individuals not only protect themselves but also play a crucial role in preventing the spread of polio to vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, the decision to forgo the polio vaccine can have practical consequences, particularly when it comes to travel and immigration. Many countries, including the United States, require proof of polio vaccination for entry. This is especially important for those travelling to regions with a higher risk of polio infection. Failing to provide the necessary vaccination documentation can result in delays or even denial of entry to certain countries.
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How to get the polio vaccine as an adult
If you didn't receive the polio vaccine as a child, you should consider getting vaccinated as an adult, especially if you plan to travel to a country where there is a documented increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.
If you know or suspect that you are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated against polio, you should receive the polio vaccination. The CDC recommends that unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adults complete a primary polio vaccination series with IPV (inactivated polio vaccine). IPV is given as a series of shots and has been the only polio vaccine used in the United States since 2000. It is safe and proven to help prevent polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis or even death.
How to Get Started
To get started, talk to your healthcare provider about your risks and make a plan to get protected. Your doctor can advise you on the recommended number of doses and the timing of vaccinations. You can also refer to the CDC website for more information on polio vaccination recommendations.
Additional Considerations
If you are fully vaccinated but are at increased risk of poliovirus exposure due to travel or work in a laboratory or healthcare setting, you may receive one lifetime booster dose of IPV. It is important to ensure that you and your children are fully vaccinated against polio before travelling internationally. Additionally, if you are currently ill, it is recommended to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine, especially if you have a serious illness.
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Frequently asked questions
If you grew up in the US in the 1970s or later, there's a good chance you got the polio vaccine as part of your routine childhood immunizations. However, if you know or suspect that you are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, you should receive the polio vaccination. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks and make a plan to get protected.
There is no national vaccination database in the US, so there is no single source to check. You may find records in a baby book or other mementos from your early childhood. If you attended high school or college, they may have required a record of your childhood vaccinations, so you could check there.
IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) is the polio vaccine that kids get in the US, Canada, Europe, and many other countries where the risk of getting infected with poliovirus is low. It is given as a series of shots in the leg or arm, depending on the child's age. It contains a killed, or inactivated, poliovirus, so it can't cause polio.
