IPV
Polio (Inactivated) (IPV)
IPV: 4 doses; first dose from 6 weeks; second dose at least 4 weeks after the first; as few as 3 doses when the final dose is given at age 4 or later (CDC). The Polio (Inactivated) vaccine protects against Polio.
Typically required for school
Key takeaways
- On the routine, on-time schedule, IPV is a 4-dose series. Because of the CDC's catch-up rules, a later start can complete the series in fewer total doses.
- IPV can be given on a slower, spaced-out schedule. A later start can even reduce the total number of doses. Minimum ages and intervals still apply, and the planner enforces them automatically.
- Some IPV products listed on this page use an aluminum adjuvant and others do not; see each brand on this page. The planner can limit aluminum-containing vaccines per visit if you prefer.
- IPV is required for kindergarten entry in most US states. Check your state's exact list on the requirements-by-state pages.
What changes when IPV is delayed?
On the routine, started-on-time schedule, IPV is a 4-dose series. Delaying the start does not always change this, but for several vaccines the CDC's own catch-up rules mean a later start needs fewer total doses. Here is what applies to IPV:
- DELAY SAVINGS: a 4th dose is not needed if the 3rd dose is given on/after age 4 AND ≥6 months after dose 2.
- So a delayed schedule completes in 3 doses instead of 4.
- Final dose must be on/after age 4.
The exact timing depends on your child's age and how you space visits. The spaced-out scheduler applies these rules automatically and shows the minimum doses still needed by your deadline. For a fuller look at timing, risks and catch-up, see the delay guide for IPV.
What brands and ingredients does the IPV vaccine have?
The US-licensed products below are listed with their manufacturer, aluminum content, preservative and egg flags, and full ingredient list. Each card links to the official CDC or FDA source. Formulations change — treat these as a starting point, not the final word.
Single-disease brands
Ipol
Sanofi
No aluminum. Uses 2-phenoxyethanol as a preservative.
Ingredients (7)
- 2-phenoxyethanol
- formaldehyde
- calf bovine serum albumin
- neomycin
- streptomycin
- polymyxin B
- Medium 199
Combination brands that include this vaccine
Pediarix
GSK · DTaP + HepB + IPV
Ingredients (8)
- aluminum hydroxide
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- sodium chloride
- polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
- neomycin sulfate
- polymyxin B
- yeast protein
Kinrix
GSK · DTaP + IPV
Ingredients (6)
- aluminum hydroxide
- formaldehyde
- sodium chloride
- polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
- neomycin sulfate
- polymyxin B
Quadracel
Sanofi · DTaP + IPV
Ingredients (8)
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- 2-phenoxyethanol
- polysorbate 80
- neomycin
- polymyxin B sulfate
- bovine serum albumin
Pentacel
Sanofi · DTaP + IPV + Hib
Ingredients (9)
- aluminum phosphate
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- 2-phenoxyethanol
- polysorbate 80
- sucrose
- bovine serum albumin
- neomycin
- polymyxin B sulfate
Vaxelis
MSP Vaccine Company (Merck + Sanofi) · DTaP + IPV + Hib + HepB (hexavalent)
Ingredients (10)
- aluminum (from adjuvant salts)
- formaldehyde
- glutaraldehyde
- polysorbate 80
- bovine serum albumin
- neomycin
- streptomycin
- polymyxin B sulfate
- ammonium thiocyanate
- yeast protein
IPV vaccine FAQs
How many doses of IPV does my child need?
On the routine, on-time schedule, IPV is a 4-dose series. Because of the CDC's catch-up rules, a later start can complete the series in fewer total doses.
Can the IPV vaccine be delayed or spaced out?
Yes. IPV can be given on a slower, spaced-out schedule. A later start can even reduce the total number of doses. Minimum ages and intervals still apply, and the planner enforces them automatically.
Does the IPV vaccine contain aluminum?
Some do. Some IPV products listed on this page use an aluminum adjuvant and others do not; see each brand on this page. The planner can limit aluminum-containing vaccines per visit if you prefer.
Is IPV required for school?
IPV is required for kindergarten entry in most US states. Check your state's exact list on the requirements-by-state pages. See requirements by state.
Plan IPV on a slower schedule
See how many IPV doses your child would still need and when, on a spaced-out plan that finishes in time for school. Review the result with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Build my plan →Sources
Primary sources only. Links open the publisher's own page.
- CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Catch-up Immunization Schedule (Table 2) (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Child and Adolescent Schedule Notes (opens in a new tab)
- CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Pink Book, Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA Vaccines Licensed for Use in the United States (opens in a new tab)
- CDC CDC Vaccine Excipient Summary (Appendix B) (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA — Ipol (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA PI — Pediarix (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA PI — Kinrix (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Quadracel (opens in a new tab)
- DailyMed FDA/DailyMed PI — Pentacel (opens in a new tab)
- Merck Merck PI — Vaxelis (opens in a new tab)
- FDA FDA — Vaxelis (opens in a new tab)