poliomyelitis vaccine (inactivated)

The Salk inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is a trivalent vaccine developed by Jonas Salk and first licensed in 1955 for the prevention of poliomyelitis. It is produced by growing three wild-type poliovirus strains—Mahoney (Type 1), MEF-1 (Type 2), and Saukett (Type 3)—in Vero cell cultures, followed by inactivation with formalin. Unlike the live-attenuated oral vaccine, IPV is administered by injection (intramuscular or intradermal) and provides protective systemic immunity by inducing IgG antibodies that prevent viremia and subsequent central nervous system infection. It is highly effective, with a three-dose regimen providing nearly 100% immunity against paralytic disease. IPV is a critical tool in the global effort to eradicate polio, particularly in maintaining population immunity without the risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.

Brand names

IPOLPoliorixImovax Polio

Other names

Salk inactivated polio vaccineIPVinactivated poliovirus vaccineSalk vaccinefIPV