Polio Vaccine (IPV): Side Effects, Muscle Spasms & Information

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is given by injection to children in a series of four separate doses by age six. The vaccine prevents poliomyelitis, a severe disease that can cause permanent loss of movement. Adults can receive a booster shot if they plan on traveling to a country where polio still regularly occurs.

Side Effect

• The only side effect associated with the IPV is soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site.

Serious Reaction Symptoms

• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), any vaccine can cause a rare but serious reaction. Signs include difficulty breathing, hoarseness, wheezing, dizziness, hives, pale skin, weakness and high fever. However, according to the CDC, there has never been a report of a serious adverse reaction to the IPV.

Contraindications

• Anyone who has experienced an allergic reaction to neomycin, polymyxin B or streptomycin should not receive the IPV. Additionally, anyone who is ill when the vaccine is scheduled should wait until they are well.

Oral Polio Vaccine

• The oral polio vaccine (OPV), a weakened live vaccine which previously was used in the United States, caused vaccine-associated paralytic polio in about one out of 2.4 million doses.

TD Polio Vaccine

• Some countries use a vaccine called TD Polio, which immunizes against tetanus, diphtheria and polio and can rarely cause side effects including diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting.