
The polio vaccine comes in two types: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection (IPV) and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth (OPV). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children be fully vaccinated against polio. While the polio vaccine is typically given as a shot in the leg or arm, depending on the patient's age, it can also be administered orally. The vaccine is generally safe for pregnant women and those with HIV/AIDS. To prevent poliomyelitis, or polio, the CDC recommends that children receive four doses of the vaccine, with one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of polio vaccine types | 2 (inactivated poliovirus and weakened poliovirus) |
| Administration method | Injection or by mouth |
| Number of recommended doses for children | 4 |
| Number of recommended doses for adults | 3 |
| Number of doses in a vial | 10-20 |
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What You'll Learn
- The polio vaccine comes in two types: inactivated poliovirus (IPV) and weakened poliovirus (OPV)
- IPV is distributed in 10-dose vials and is administered via injection
- OPV is distributed in vials containing 10-20 doses and is taken orally
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children be fully vaccinated against polio
- Polio vaccination is a routine part of childhood immunisation schedules in the United States

The polio vaccine comes in two types: inactivated poliovirus (IPV) and weakened poliovirus (OPV)
IPV is considered very safe, with mild redness or pain being the most common side effects at the injection site. On the other hand, OPV is associated with a slightly higher risk of adverse effects, causing about three cases of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis per million doses. However, this risk is significantly lower than the 5,000 cases per million paralysed by polio infection. Both vaccines are generally safe for pregnant women and individuals with HIV/AIDS.
IPV is typically distributed in 10-dose vials, with a recommended dose of 0.5 mL for both children and adults. It can be administered through intramuscular or subcutaneous routes, using needles of appropriate length for the recipient's age and size. IPV can also be combined with other vaccines, such as Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib), Pediarix (DTaP-IPV-HepB), and Kinrix (DTaP-IPV).
OPV, on the other hand, is usually provided in vials containing 10-20 doses. In April 2016, countries using OPV transitioned from trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV) for routine immunisation. Individuals who have only received bOPV are not protected against type 2 poliovirus and require additional IPV doses to be fully immunised.
The success of polio vaccines in preventing poliomyelitis (polio) cannot be overstated. Polio is a disabling and potentially fatal disease caused by the poliovirus, which infects the spinal cord and can lead to paralysis. Thanks to vaccination programs, most people in the United States are protected from polio, and the number of cases worldwide has drastically reduced.
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IPV is distributed in 10-dose vials and is administered via injection
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, which infects a person's spinal cord and can lead to paralysis. Fortunately, polio vaccines have eliminated polio from most of the world, reducing the number of cases reported each year from an estimated 350,000 in 1988 to 33 in 2018.
There are two types of polio vaccines: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection (IPV) and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth (OPV). The inactivated polio vaccine, IPV, is distributed in 10-dose vials and is administered via injection. The recommended dose for both children and adults is 0.5 mL, and it can be administered by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route, using a needle length appropriate for the age and size of the person receiving the vaccine. For older children and adults, the injection site is typically the deltoid muscle for intramuscular injection or the posterior aspect of the upper arm for subcutaneous injection.
IPV is the only polio vaccine that has been used in the United States since 2000, and it is recommended that children receive four doses of this vaccine as part of their routine immunizations. Children in the United States should receive IPV to protect against polio, including those who have not started their polio vaccine series or are delayed in getting all the recommended doses.
In addition to being distributed in 10-dose vials, IPV is also available as a single-antigen vaccine called IPOL, licensed in the US for active immunization of infants (from six weeks of age), children, and adults. IPOL provides protection against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3.
While OPV is no longer used in the US, it is still used in other parts of the world. OPV is typically provided in vials containing 10-20 doses and is administered orally.
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OPV is distributed in vials containing 10-20 doses and is taken orally
The oral polio vaccine (OPV) is distributed in vials containing 10-20 doses and is administered orally. OPV is a weakened poliovirus that replicates efficiently in the gut, the primary site of infection and replication, but it is unable to replicate efficiently within nervous system tissue. It is safe and effective in preventing polio, a disabling and life-threatening disease that can cause paralysis and even death.
OPV has played a crucial role in reducing the number of polio cases globally. In 1963, the trivalent OPV (TOPV) became the vaccine of choice in the United States and most other countries, leading to a substantial decline in polio cases. Since 2000, the United States has solely used the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), administered through injection, to eliminate the risk of polio variants associated with OPV. However, OPV continues to be a recommended vaccine for children worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) advocating for full vaccination against polio.
OPV is typically provided in multi-dose vials, with each vial containing 10 to 20 doses of the vaccine. This format allows for efficient distribution and administration, particularly in mass immunisation campaigns. The recommended dosage for children is four doses, with the first dose administered as early as six weeks of age. The subsequent doses are given at specific age intervals to ensure comprehensive protection against polio.
The oral administration of OPV is simple and convenient, making it accessible for use in various settings, including developing countries and areas with limited access to healthcare. The ease of administration has contributed to its widespread use and success in controlling polio outbreaks. OPV is generally safe, but it is important to note that it can, in rare cases, cause vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis. This adverse effect occurs in approximately three out of every million doses administered.
In summary, OPV is a vital tool in the fight against polio and is distributed in vials containing 10-20 doses. Its oral administration has facilitated global immunisation efforts, helping to reduce the incidence of polio significantly. While OPV has been superseded by IPV in the United States due to safety concerns, it remains a recommended vaccine for children internationally, playing a crucial role in maintaining high immunity and preventing the re-emergence of polio.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children be fully vaccinated against polio
The IPV is given by injection and is very safe, with mild redness or pain as possible side effects. When the IPV is used, 90% or more of individuals develop protective antibodies to all three serotypes of poliovirus after two doses, and at least 99% are immune following three doses. The duration of immunity induced by IPV is not known with certainty, although a complete series is thought to protect for many years. The OPV, on the other hand, is given by mouth and has been associated with about three cases of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis per million doses given. However, this risk is significantly lower than the 5,000 cases per million who are paralysed following a polio infection. Both types of vaccines are generally safe to administer during pregnancy and to individuals with HIV/AIDS.
The CDC recommends that children receive a total of four doses of polio vaccine, one at each of the following ages: the first dose at birth, the second dose at 6 weeks, the third dose between 6 and 18 months, and a booster vaccination at 4 to 6 years of age. In some countries, a fifth vaccination is given during adolescence. The timing of the third dose depends on the vaccine formulation. Children who are delayed in getting all recommended doses should follow the recommended catch-up schedule.
In the United States, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is the only polio vaccine that has been administered since 2000, and it is given by shot in the leg or arm depending on the patient's age. The recommended dose for both children and adults is 0.5 mL, administered by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route using a needle length appropriate for the recipient's age and size. IPV may sometimes be given in combination with other vaccines, and children should receive a total of four doses. Most adults in the United States were likely vaccinated as children and are protected from polio. However, those who know or suspect they are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated should receive the polio vaccination, especially if they are travelling to a country with a documented increased risk of poliovirus exposure.
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Polio vaccination is a routine part of childhood immunisation schedules in the United States
Polio vaccination has been a routine part of childhood immunisation schedules in the United States for decades. The CDC recommends that children receive inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV) to protect against polio as part of their routine immunisations. IPV is given by injection in the leg or arm, depending on the person's age. It can be administered by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route, using a needle length appropriate for the age and size of the person receiving the vaccine. The recommended dose for both children and adults is 0.5 mL.
IPV is the only polio vaccine that has been administered in the United States since 2000. It is a safe and effective vaccine that has helped to eliminate polio from most of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children be fully vaccinated against polio. The two types of vaccines, IPV and OPV, have reduced the number of cases reported each year from an estimated 350,000 in 1988 to 33 in 2018.
In 1961, the first monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine (MOPV) was licensed, with type 3 following in 1962. In 1963, trivalent OPV (TOPV) was licensed and became the vaccine of choice in the United States and most other countries. This led to a substantial reduction in polio cases. Between 1962 and 1965, about 100 million Americans (56% of the population at the time) received the Sabin vaccine, resulting in a dramatic decline in poliomyelitis cases.
Today, children in the United States should receive four doses of IPV, with one dose at each of the following ages: the first dose (at 2 months), the second dose (at 4 months), the third dose (at 6–18 months), and the fourth dose (at 4–6 years). Children who have not started their polio vaccine series or who are delayed in receiving all recommended doses should start immediately or finish their series by following the recommended catch-up schedule.
Additionally, combination vaccines containing IPV are also available in the United States, such as Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib), Pediarix (DTaP-IPV-HepB), Kinrix (DTaP-IPV), VAXELIS (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB), and Quadracel (DTaP-IPV). These combination vaccines can provide protection against several diseases in a single shot.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the polio vaccine comes in single-dose vials and shared vials containing 10-20 doses.
There are two types of polio vaccines: an inactivated poliovirus given by injection (IPV) and a weakened poliovirus given by mouth (OPV).
The CDC recommends that children receive four doses of the polio vaccine at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years.











































