From the Guidelines
Polio vaccine (Poliovirus vaccine) is most useful for prevention of poliomyelitis in children, and is recommended to be administered at ages 2,4,6-18 months, and 4-6 years. The minimum interval between doses 1 and 2 and between doses 2 and 3 is 4 weeks, and the minimum interval between doses 3 and 4 is 6 months 1. For individuals who are at greater risk for exposure to polioviruses, such as laboratory workers or healthcare personnel who have close contact with patients who might be excreting wild polioviruses, vaccination is recommended 1.
- The vaccine can be administered in a combination vaccine, such as DTaP-IPV/Hib, which can be used for 1 or more doses of the IPV series 1.
- Unvaccinated healthcare personnel should receive a 3-dose series of IPV, with dose 2 administered 4-8 weeks after dose 1, and dose 3 administered 6-12 months after dose 2 1.
- Available data do not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV for adults 1.
- The vaccine is also recommended for children who will be traveling to areas where polio is endemic, and for children of parents who do not accept the recommended number of vaccine injections 1.
- It is essential to ensure high poliovirus immunity levels in US children to prevent outbreaks should poliovirus be imported into this country 1.
From the Research
Polio Vaccine Usefulness
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on the use of polyethylene glycol in treating constipation and fecal impaction, rather than the polio vaccine.
Alternative Uses of Studied Substances
- Polyethylene glycol is useful in the treatment of functional constipation and fecal impaction, as shown in studies 2, 3, 4, 5
- It is also effective in relieving constipation caused by constipating medications 5
- Polyethylene glycol 3350 is a recommended treatment for improving stool frequency and consistency in patients with constipation, with a high patient acceptance due to its palatability and once-daily dosing 6
Key Findings
- Polyethylene glycol with or without electrolytes is more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of functional constipation, with great safety and tolerability 2
- A high-dose oral protocol combining polyethylene glycol with electrolytes and sodium picosulphate can successfully disimpact children with acute/chronic constipation in an outpatient setting 4
- Polyethylene glycol laxative is safe and effective for use in treating constipation in patients taking constipating medications 5