Poliovirus vaccine, inactivated (Injection)

Poliovirus vaccine helps protect against poliomyelitis (polio). It prompts your body to make its own defense (antibodies) against the virus that causes polio.

There are two types of polio vaccines given by injection: poliovirus vaccine inactivated (IPV) and poliovirus vaccine inactivated enhanced potency (eIPV). In the U.S. and Canada, the injected vaccine used is eIPV. The vaccine taken by mouth is called poliovirus vaccine live oral (OPV).

Polio is a severe infection that can cause paralysis of muscles, including those needed for walking and breathing. A polio infection can leave a person unable to breathe without an iron lung, unable to walk without leg braces, or confined to a wheelchair. There is no cure for polio.

Immunization against polio is recommended for all infants from 6 to 12 weeks of age, all children, all adolescents up to 18 years of age, and certain adults at higher risk for exposure to polioviruses, including:

• Persons traveling to areas or countries where polio is uncontrolled, regardless of past vaccinations against polio.
• Persons living in areas where polio infection still exists.
• Adults who have not been vaccinated or who have not completed the series of vaccinations against polio and live with children who will receive the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
• Employees in day-care centers and group homes for children, such as orphanages.
• Employees in medical facilities, such as hospitals and doctors' offices.
• Laboratory workers handling samples that may contain polioviruses.

Immunization against polio is not recommended for infants younger than 6 weeks of age, because the antibodies they received from their mothers before birth may reduce the vaccine's effectiveness. Infants immunized against polio before 6 weeks of age should complete the full polio immunization series.

This vaccine should only be given by or under the supervision of your doctor or another health care professional.

Tell your doctor that you have received this vaccine if you plan to get any live virus vaccines within 1 month after receiving this vaccine.

In deciding to get a vaccine, you need to think about the risks of the vaccine compared to the benefits it can provide. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this vaccine, consider the following:

For a short time after you get vaccinated, there is a very small risk (1 in 2.2 million) that anyone in your household who has not been vaccinated against polio or who has or had an immune deficiency condition may develop poliomyelitis (polio) from being close to you. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your healthcare professional if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

This vaccine is not recommended for infants younger than 6 weeks old. For infants and children 6 weeks of age and older, the polio vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way as they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of the polio vaccine in older people to other age groups, this vaccine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older adults than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines can be used together even if there might be an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may change the dose or take other precautions. When you receive this vaccine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Elivaldogene Autotemcel
• Teplizumab-mzwv
• Ublituximab-xiiy

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect your ability to use this vaccine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Diarrhea or
• Virus infection or
• Vomiting—These conditions may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.

• Fever or
• Illness (moderate or severe) or
• Weakness (severe)—The symptoms of these conditions may be mistaken for possible side effects of the vaccine.

• Immune deficiency condition, family history of—This may increase the chance of side effects from the vaccine.

Along with its intended effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not everyone will experience these side effects, but if they do happen, they may require medical attention.

Contact your doctor or nurse right away if you notice any of the following side effects:

Symptoms of allergic reaction

• Difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• hives
• itching, especially on the feet or hands
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)

More common

• Fever over 102° F (39° C)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may improve as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have suggestions for preventing or reducing some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects persist, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Irritability
• loss of appetite
• tiredness

Less common

• Itching or skin rash
• redness, soreness, hard lump, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, consult your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Ipol

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Vaccine

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this vaccine in a hospital. This vaccine is given as a shot into your muscle or under your skin.

In children, a total of 4 shots of polio vaccine are given. The shots are usually given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years of age. Each dose of this vaccine is usually given at least 4 weeks apart. The first dose of this vaccine may be given to infants 6 weeks of age.

This vaccine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you or your child miss a scheduled shot, call your doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.