infections
Polio Vaccine
Administration of Polio Vaccine
Vaccination against polio is part of the routine vaccination schedule recommended for children (seeCDC: Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age). The polio vaccine is given in four doses: at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. Polio is extremely rare in the United States. The risk of exposure may be increased if people travel to an area where polio is common (seeCDC: Travelers' Health), work in a laboratory with materials that may contain the virus, or provide medical care to people who have polio. If adults are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated and areat increased risk of exposure to poliovirus, they should receive and complete the polio vaccination series. Other adults who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated should talk with their doctor to understand their risk of polio and whether they should receive polio vaccination. Adults who completed their polio vaccination but who are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus may receive one lifetime booster. New York residents in areas with repeated poliovirus detection may be at higher risk of infection and should follow updated vaccination recommendations from the New York State Department of Health (seeNew York State Department of Health: Polio Vaccine). If people have a temporary illness, doctors usually wait to give the vaccine until the illness resolves (see alsoCDC: Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated With These Vaccines?). 