Polio Vaccine Precautions

Dr. Jonas Salk developed an injectable vaccine called a monovalent vaccine against only one of the three distinct forms of polioviruses. This vaccine used dead virus to stimulate the production of antibodies against polio. Later Dr. Albert Sabin developed an oral vaccine called a trivalent vaccine (TOPV-Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine) against all three forms of virus. This is a live vaccine using weakened virus to stimulate antibody production.

Immunosuppressed individuals must follow precautions with polio vaccines.  These people include those who are

• • affected with chronic disease.
• • receiving chemotherapy.
• • undergoing radiation treatments.
• • taking immunosuppressive medications for organ transplants.
• • on long-term steroid treatment.

Precautions for immunosuppressed individuals include the following:

• • Do not take the live trivalent vaccine, which may lead to contracting polio.
• • Do not change diapers or come in contact with feces of children recently treated with TOPV.
• • Do not come in contact with body fluids (nasal secretions or vomitus) of children recently treated with TOPV.