Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)
(Content revised 07/2017)
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by one of the 3 types of Poliovirus (1, 2, and 3). The virus enters the body through oral route and eventually invades the central nervous system. Symptoms include fever, severe muscle pain, stiffness in the neck and back, paralysis, or even breathing difficulty and death.
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)
- Why get vaccinated?
Polio vaccination can effectively protect against poliomyelitis. In Hong Kong, inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) is recommended for routine childhood polio vaccination.
- When should my child get vaccinated?
- For the best and lasting protection, children should receive 3 doses of IPV in the first year of life (at 2, 4 and 6 months). A booster dose of IPV will be given when the child is 18 months of age. Two other booster doses will be given to primary one and primary six students. Children who have not received the recommended doses of poliovirus vaccine should receive sufficient doses of IPV to complete the immunisation series.
- IPV can be given at the same time with other vaccines.
- The following individuals should NOT receive IPV
- serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of IPV or its constituents
- serious allergic reaction to certain antibiotics or preservatives
- What are the side effects?
Most people have no serious reactions after receiving IPV. Occasionally there may be slight soreness around the injection site, but these will gradually subside in 1-2 days.