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What is the most important information I should know about polio vaccine?

The polio vaccine is given in a series of shots. The number of shots required and the booster schedule will depend on the age of the person being vaccinated. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with polio vaccine is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What is polio vaccine?

Polio affects the central nervous system and spinal cord. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio is a life-threatening condition because it can paralyze the muscles that help you breathe.

The polio vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Polio vaccine is for use in adults and children who are at least 2 months old.

Like any vaccine, the polio vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving polio vaccine?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing live or inactivated polio virus. Do not receive this vaccine if you have received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the past 3 months.

Before receiving a polio vaccine, tell the doctor if you have:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;

• a history of seizures;

• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);

• an allergy to latex rubber;

• a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments;

• if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or

• if you are pregnant;

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the mother becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide whether you should receive this vaccine, especially if you have a high risk of infection with polio. Do no not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.