Polio

Indication
For infants, children, and adults for the prevention of poliomyelitis caused by poliovirus Types 1, 2 and 3. For primary vaccination and as a booster.

Dosage
Primary Vaccination
• From 2 months of age, 3 successive injections of 0.5 mI should be administered at intervals of one or two months.
• From 6 weeks of age, vaccine may be administered following the 6, 10, and 14-week schedule. As per the recommendations of the Expanded Programme on immunization of the World Health Organization.
• For non-vaccinated adults. 2 successive injections of 0.5 ml must be given at intervals of one or Preferably 2 months.
• A single dose (0.5 ml) of IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) is given if OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) is previously administered. If not, 2 doses (1 ml) of IPV are recommended.

Booster
In children, in the second year of life, a 4th dose (1st booster) is administered one year after the 3rd injection.
For adults, a 3-dose (1st booster) is administered 8 to 12 months after the 2 injections.
A booster is given every 5 years to children and adolescents and every 1 year to adults.

Administration
The preferred route of administration is intramuscular; the vaccine may also be given subcutaneously.
The preferred site of intramuscular injection is the mid-lateral aspect of the thigh in infants and toddlers and the deltoid muscle in children, adolescents, and adults.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This vaccine may be used for pregnant women if required. Breastfeeding is not contraindicated.

Side Effects
The most frequently reported side effects are:
• Local reactions at the injection site: pain, erythema (skin Redness)
• Moderate fever

Other side effects, reported very rarely (<0.01%) are:
• Edema
• Lymphadenopathy (increase in the size of lymph nodes)
• Hypersensitivity reaction (allergy): urticaria, facial edema, anaphylactic shock in response to one of the vaccine components.
• Joint pain, muscular pain
• Convulsions (associated with fever), Headaches, tingling sensation
• Agitation, somnolence, and irritability in the first hours or days
• Skin rash
• In babies born very prematurely (at or before 28 weeks of gestation) longer gaps than normal between breaths may occur for 2-3 days after vaccination