Doctors’ Notes
BackInactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
The Inactivated Polio Vaccine protects against the disease polio.
Polio (also known as poliomyelitis) is an infection caused by a virus. Most people who get it have little to no symptoms. Common symptoms include headache, sore throat, fever, nausea/voiting and fatigue. In rare cases, it can cause paralysis affecting muscles in the legs, arms, and even the muscles that help you breathe! Many people who get muscle weakness do not regain full strength. People who were originally paralyzed can still experience new weakness, muscle pain, or paralysis later in life.
Polio is spread by contact with feces or saliva of someone infected. In the years before the introduction of the vaccine, there were more than 45,000 cases of polio per year.
Pittsburgh Proud Fun Fact
The Polio vaccine was developed at the University of Pittsburgh by Dr. Jonas Salk. Thanks to widespread use of the vaccine, the United States has been Polio free since 1979!
IPV Vaccine Schedule
The vaccine is a part of a combination vaccine, Pentacel, given at:
First dose: 2 months
Second dose: 4 months
Third dose: anywhere from 6 to 18 months
Booster: 4 to 6 years
Possible Vaccine Side Effects
• Injection site redness
• Irritability
• Fatigue