IPOL Warnings and Precautions
There are many warnings and precautions with IPOL to be aware of before getting vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine if you have an immune-suppressing condition, as IPOL may not be as effective as usual for protection against polio. Also, you should postpone the vaccine if you have a moderate or severe illness.
IPOL: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk to a healthcare provider before your child receives IPOL® (inactivated polio vaccine) if your child has:
- An immune-suppressing condition such as HIV or AIDS, diabetes, or cancer
- Had any sort of a reaction to any vaccine in the past
- A moderate-to-severe illness
- Any allergies, including to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Make sure to tell the healthcare provider about any medications your child is taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Precautions and Warnings With IPOL
Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to receiving the IPOL vaccine include the following:
- Your child can receive IPOL if he or she has a mild illness (such as the common cold). However, it is usually best to postpone the vaccine in the case of a moderate or severe illness.
- Make sure the healthcare provider knows if your child has ever had any serious reactions to any vaccines before.
- If you have an immune-suppressing condition, IPOL may not be as effective as usual for protection against polio.
- IPOL can potentially interact with a few other medications (see IPOL Drug Interactions).
- IPOL does not contain thimerosal (a mercury-containing preservative). Parents who are concerned about exposing their children to thimerosal can be confident that this vaccine has no thimerosal -- not even trace amounts. Some parents are concerned about the aluminum content of vaccines as well; IPOL does not contain any aluminum.
- In addition, parents may be concerned about the use of human or animal components in vaccines. The polio virus used in this vaccine is grown in a line of monkey kidney cells using bovine (cow) calf serum. No human cell components are used to make IPOL.
- IPOL is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means it is unknown if it is safe for use during pregnancy. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of getting the vaccine during pregnancy. It should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed for women at high risk for a polio infection.
- This vaccine is generally considered safe for use during breastfeeding.