Children can get this vaccine if they have not had all their polio vaccine doses. Polio vaccine is typically given combined with other vaccines: DTaP-IPV-Hib-HB, DTaP-IPV-Hib, or dTap-IPV. If your child has had all their doses of the other vaccines and just needs polio vaccine, they can get IPV.
Some children may have had oral polio vaccine (OPV), which is given by mouth. OPV used to be given in Canada and is still being given in some other countries. If your child got OPV after April 1, 2016, they may not be fully protected against all types of polio, and they need to get IPV to be fully protected.
This vaccine is not available to adults unless you are at high risk for polio, such as:
- You are part of a community or group where polio is spreading.
- You have close contact with people from areas where there is high risk of polio (for example, you work with refugees from a country where polio is spreading).
- You have close contact with babies from other countries who may have been immunized with oral polio vaccine in the last 6 weeks.
- You work at a wastewater treatment plant and are exposed to sewage.
You may also need polio vaccine if you are travelling to a country with a high risk of polio. If you need polio vaccine for travel, it is not free for adults. For children who are travelling, contact your local public health or community health centre for more information.