Why get vaccinated?

Vaccination can protect people from polio. Polio is a disease caused by a virus. It is spread mainly by person-to-person contact. It can also be spread by consuming food or drinks that are contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

Most people infected with polio have no symptoms, and many recover without complications. But sometimes people who get polio develop paralysis (cannot move their arms or legs). Polio can result in permanent disability. Polio can also cause death, usually by paralyzing the muscles used for breathing.

Polio used to be very common, it paralyzed and killed thousands of people every year before polio vaccine was introduced. There is no cure for polio infection, but it can be prevented by vaccination.

Polio still occurs in parts of the world. Therefore we need to be protected by vaccination. If the effort to eliminate the disease from the world is successful, some day we won’t need polio vaccine. Until then, we need to keep getting our children vaccinated.

Polio vaccine 

Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) can prevent polio. Most people should get IPV when they are children. IPV is usually given 4 doses at 2, 3, 4 months old and at 4 years old.Combination vaccine 5-in-1 contains IPV, total 4 doses at 2, 3, 4 months old and 18 months old.

The schedule might be different for some children (including those traveling to certain countries and those who receive IPV as part of a combination vaccine).Your health care provider can give you more information.

Some people should not get this vaccine 

Tell the person who is giving the vaccine:

•     If the person getting the vaccine has any severe, life-threatening allergies. If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of IPV, or have a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, you may be advised not to get vaccinated. Ask your health care provider if you want information about vaccine components

•     If the person getting the vaccine is not feeling well. If you have a mild illness, such as a cold, you can probably get the vaccine today. If you are moderately or severely ill, you should probably wait until you recover. Your doctor can advise you

Risk of a vaccine reaction

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible. Some people who get IPV get a sore spot where the shot was given. IPV has not been known to cause serious problems, and most people do not have any problems with it.

fter vaccination, please stay in clinic observation area for 30 minutes.

Problems that could happen after any vaccine

•     People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears

•     Some people get shoulder pain that can be more severe and longer-lasting than the more routine soreness that can follow injections. This happens very rarely

•     Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.

What if there is a serious reaction?

What should I look for?

Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can't wait, call 120 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

•     Jiahui Health

Contact number: 400-868-3000

•     Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control & Prevention 

Contact number: 021-62758710

Website:http: //www.scdc.sh.cn

Reference

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information Statement: Polio Vaccine, 07/20/2016

Click the link for more information on Family Medicine Clinical Service

Click the link for more information on Pediatrics Clinical Service