Written by

Kristen Cramer

May 2, 2025

Edited by

Jennifer Carlson

Fact-checked by

Tara Farmer

Polio vaccine cost

The polio vaccine costs $40 to $85 per dose without insurance or $160 to $340 total for the full four-dose series. Polio vaccine prices depend on your location, insurance coverage, and where you get the vaccine. Medicare Part D and most health insurance plans cover the full cost of the polio vaccine.

• Many city and county health departments offer free or discounted polio vaccines for residents without insurance.

• The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides free polio vaccines for children ages 18 and younger who meet the eligibility requirements.

What is polio?

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious and incurable disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis or even death in severe cases. Polio primarily affects children under 5 years of age, but the virus can infect unvaccinated individuals of any age.

Polio was once one of the most feared diseases in the United States, causing more than 15,000 cases of paralysis each year before vaccines became available in the 1950s. Thanks to successful vaccination campaigns, the only cases of polio reported in the U.S. since 1979 have been brought into the country by travelers.

How is polio transmitted?

Polio is highly contagious and spreads primarily through:

• Person-to-person contact

• Fecal-oral route (contact with infected feces)

• Contaminated water or food

• Droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough (less common)

The virus enters the body through the mouth or nose and multiplies in the throat and intestines. From there, it can enter the bloodstream and attack the nervous system.

Symptoms of polio

Polio can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. About 72% of people infected with poliovirus have no visible symptoms. However, even without symptoms, infected people can still spread the virus to others.

Those who do experience symptoms may have:

Mild symptoms:

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fatigue

• Stomach pain

Severe symptoms:

• Muscle spasms

• Neck stiffness

• Severe headache

• Sensitivity to light or touch

• Paresthesia (feeling of pins and needles in the legs)

• Meningitis (infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain)

• Paralysis (inability to move parts of the body)

• Difficulty breathing when paralysis affects the respiratory muscles

In the most severe cases, polio can lead to permanent disability or death. This is why vaccination is so crucial for prevention.

Polio vaccine FAQs

When was the polio vaccine invented?

The first successful polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk and introduced in 1955. This was an inactivated (killed) poliovirus vaccine (IPV) administered by injection.

Later, in the early 1960s, Dr. Albert Sabin developed an oral polio vaccine (OPV) using weakened live viruses. The OPV became widely used around the world due to its ease of administration and ability to provide intestinal immunity.

In the United States, doctors have only used the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) since 2000 due to the small risk of vaccine-derived polio associated with the oral vaccine.

How long does the polio vaccine last?

The polio vaccine provides long-lasting protection. After receiving the recommended childhood series of four doses, most people are protected for life. The CDC does not routinely recommend polio vaccine boosters for adults who completed the full childhood series.

However, certain adults at higher risk may need a one-time booster dose, including:

• Those traveling to areas where polio is still common

• Laboratory workers who handle poliovirus

• Healthcare workers treating patients who could have polio

When do you get the polio vaccine?

The CDC recommends that children receive four doses of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) at the following ages:

• 1st dose: 2 months old

• 2nd dose: 4 months old

• 3rd dose: 6 to 18 months old

• 4th dose: 4 to 6 years old

This schedule may vary slightly for children who are behind on vaccinations or for those traveling to high-risk areas. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized vaccination recommendations.

Is the polio vaccine a live virus?

The only polio vaccine currently used in the United States is the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which contains killed virus and cannot cause polio. IPV is administered via an injection in the leg or arm.

The oral polio vaccine (OPV), which contains weakened live poliovirus, is still used in some countries where polio remains endemic. OPV is highly effective and easy to administer but carries a small risk of vaccine-derived polio, which is why the U.S. switched to the exclusive use of IPV in 2000.

When did the polio vaccine become mandatory for school?

Polio vaccination requirements for school entry were established in the United States during the late 1950s and early 1960s, following the successful development of the Salk vaccine. By the 1970s, most states had enacted laws requiring polio vaccination for school attendance.

Today, all 50 states and the District of Columbia require parents to vaccinate children against polio before entering public schools, though specific requirements vary by state.

What is the name of the polio vaccine?

The polio vaccine currently used in the United States is IPOL®. This is an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) that protects against all three types of poliovirus.

Other parts of the world use various formulations of polio vaccines:

• Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is used in many developing countries.

• Bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) protects against two types of poliovirus.

• Monovalent oral polio vaccine (mOPV) targets a specific type of poliovirus.

• Combined vaccines that include IPV along with other vaccines (such as DTaP-IPV-Hib)

Where to get the polio vaccine

The polio vaccine is widely available in the United States in various healthcare settings:

• Pediatrician or family doctor offices: Most children receive their polio vaccines during regular well-child visits.

• Public health departments: Local health departments often provide vaccinations at low or no cost.

• Community health centers: Federally qualified health centers provide vaccines on a sliding fee scale.

• Pharmacies: Many retail pharmacies offer vaccination services for older children and adults.

• Travel clinics: Specialized clinics for international travelers may offer polio vaccines, particularly for those traveling to regions where polio remains endemic.

Before getting vaccinated, check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage and contact the vaccination site to ensure they have the vaccine in stock.

The importance of polio vaccination

Despite the successful reduction of polio cases globally, maintaining high vaccination rates remains crucial for several reasons:

• Prevention of outbreaks: As long as polio exists anywhere in the world, unvaccinated individuals are at risk.

• Protection of vulnerable populations: Some individuals cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions, so high community vaccination rates help protect them through herd immunity.

• Cost-effectiveness: The cost of treating polio and its complications far exceeds the cost of vaccination.

• Global health security: Preventing polio is part of a broader effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases across borders.

The relatively low cost of the polio vaccine is a small price to pay for protection against a disease that can cause lifelong disability or death. With insurance coverage and public health programs, most families can access polio vaccines at little to no out-of-pocket cost.