What is the recommended dose for a polio (Poliomyelitis) booster?

Polio Booster Dose Recommendations

For adults who have previously completed a primary polio vaccination series and are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus, a single 0.5 mL dose of IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine) is recommended as a booster. 1

Adult Booster Recommendations

The need for polio boosters depends on vaccination history and risk factors:

• For adults who have previously completed a primary series with either OPV (oral poliovirus vaccine) or IPV and are at increased risk of exposure, a single 0.5 mL dose of IPV is sufficient as a booster 2, 1
• Available data do not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV for adults 2
• The preferred injection site for adults is the deltoid area 1

Who Needs a Polio Booster?

Routine poliovirus vaccination of adults residing in the United States is not necessary for most people. However, vaccination is recommended for certain adults at greater risk for exposure to polioviruses, including:

• Travelers to areas or countries where polio is epidemic or endemic
• Members of communities with disease caused by wild polioviruses
• Laboratory workers who handle specimens that might contain polioviruses
• Healthcare workers who have close contact with patients who might be excreting wild polioviruses
• Unvaccinated adults whose children will be receiving oral poliovirus vaccine 2, 1

Primary Series for Previously Unvaccinated Adults

If an adult has never been vaccinated against polio and needs protection, the recommended schedule is:

• Two 0.5 mL doses of IPV given at a 1-2 month interval
• A third 0.5 mL dose given 6-12 months later 1

If accelerated protection is needed:

• If 2-3 months are available: three doses of IPV at least 1 month apart
• If 1-2 months are available: two doses of IPV at least 1 month apart
• If less than 1 month is available: a single 0.5 mL dose of IPV 1

Incompletely Vaccinated Adults

Adults at increased risk who have had at least one dose of OPV, fewer than three doses of IPV, or a combination totaling fewer than three doses should receive at least one 0.5 mL dose of IPV. Additional doses to complete the primary series should be given if time permits. 1

Children's Booster Recommendations

For children, the standard polio vaccination schedule includes:

• Primary series of three 0.5 mL doses administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously, preferably eight or more weeks apart (usually at ages 2,4, and 6-18 months)
• A booster dose administered at 4-6 years of age 3, 1

Important Considerations

• IPV should not be administered more frequently than four weeks apart 1
• Interruption of the recommended schedule with a delay between doses does not interfere with final immunity - there is no need to restart the series regardless of time elapsed between doses 1
• IPV can be administered simultaneously with other routinely recommended vaccines 2, 1
• IPV is the only vaccine recommended for immunodeficient persons and their household contacts 2

Contraindications

• Previous severe allergic reaction to IPV or to antibiotics contained in IPV (streptomycin, polymyxin B, or neomycin) 2, 3
• Although no adverse effects have been documented among pregnant women or their fetuses, vaccination during pregnancy should be avoided unless the woman is at increased risk and requires immediate protection 2

The polio booster provides significant protection, with studies showing robust anamnestic responses even years after primary vaccination 4, demonstrating the effectiveness of the IPV booster in maintaining immunity against poliomyelitis.