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Inactivated Polio Vaccine (Imovax® Polio)
What is polio?
• Polio is a very infectious disease caused by a virus.
• Polio is spread by eating or drinking food or water
contaminated by human feces. It can also be spread by
human saliva. It can destroy nerve cells in the spinal cord
that control muscles. When the nerve cell dies, the muscle
becomes weak or paralyzed. The nerve damage is
permanent.
• 80-90% of people with polio have mild or no symptoms.
10-20% have fever, severe headache, stiff neck and back
and deep muscle pain.
• Less than 1% of people with polio will have paralysis.
• 1-4% of people with polio will die.
• About 20-80% of people who had polio will develop
post-polio syndrome (a deterioration of the originally
affected muscles).
What does polio vaccine contain?
• Polio vaccine contains
2-phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde,
residual calf serum protein, trace amounts of neomycin,
streptomycin and polymixin B, Medium 199 Hanks.
• The viruses are grown in cultures of Vero cells (monkey
kidney cells).
• Polio vaccine packaging does not contain latex.
Who should receive the vaccine?
• All children and incompletely immunized adults.
• International travellers to countries where the polio virus
is still circulating.
• Lab workers at risk of exposure.
Who should not receive the vaccine?
• Anyone with a life-threatening allergic reaction to any of
the vaccine components.
• People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay
immunization.
When should the vaccine be given?
• Children 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Boosters are given at
18 months and at 4-6 years of age.
• Booster dose prior to international travel, if needed.
• The public health nurse can recommend a schedule for
people not started at two months of age.
• May be safely given with other vaccines.
How is the vaccine given?
• If given alone, polio vaccine is injected into the fatty layer
beneath the skin.
• When given in combination with diphtheria, pertussis,
tetanus and haemophilus B vaccine, polio vaccine is
injected into a muscle.
How effective is the vaccine?
• Nearly 100% of people who receive three doses of polio
vaccine are protected.
How long does the protection last?
• At least 10 years, following a series.
What might be felt after receiving the vaccine?
• People may experience minor pain (12%), redness (14%)
or hardness (4%) at the injection site.
• Call the number below if you have severe or unusual
reaction
For more information contact Public Health Services at:
- North Health Centre: (306) 655-470
- Our Neighbourhood Health Centre: (306) 655-4950
- South East Health Centre: (306) 655-4730
- West Winds Primary Health Centre: (306) 655-4275
- International Travel Centre: (306) 655-4780
©2008, Saskatoon Health Region. Reproduced only by permission.
(Updated March 2, 2009)
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