Key facts
- Number of doses: 4.
- Free for: Babies at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, children at 4 years of age.
- Side effects can include muscle aches and mild fever, pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, and occasionally a lump at the injection site.
What is polio
Polio (also known as poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious viral infection. It spreads from person to person, mainly through contact with the faeces (poo) of an infected person. It can also spread through contaminated food, water or objects.
Polio can cause paralysis, which means being unable to move part of the body. It can also lead to death.
What is the polio vaccine
The polio vaccine is an injection that helps protect people from polio. The ingredients teach the immune system to recognise and fight the virus that causes polio, without causing the disease itself.
Polio vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against polio and its complications. Staying up to date with your vaccinations gives you the best protection. Polio vaccines come as a single vaccine or as a combination vaccine that also protects against other diseases. Your vaccination provider will tell you which vaccine they give.
You can find product information and consumer medicine information about polio vaccines on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
Who can get the polio vaccine
The vaccine is free under the NIP schedule for:
- babies at 2, 4 and 6 months of age
- children at 4 years of age
- people 19 years of age or under (as a catch-up vaccination)
- refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age (as a catch-up vaccination).
You must also have a Medicare card or be eligible for one. This includes babies and children.
If you are not eligible for the free vaccine through the NIP
Talk to your health professional about whether vaccination is recommended for you or your child. Most vaccines are available for private purchase with a prescription.
If you buy the vaccine yourself, you will need to pay for it. The cost is not covered or reimbursed through the NIP.
Some vaccines not funded by the NIP may be funded by your state or territory. Check the immunisation schedule for your state or territory to find out more.
How the polio vaccine is given
The vaccine is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) or into a muscle (intramuscularly).
Costs
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines (including free ones). Check before you make an appointment.
Side effects
Most side effects of polio vaccines are mild and last no more than a couple of days. Serious side effects are rare.
Common side effects include:
- mild fever
- muscle aches
- pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.
Occasionally, a lump may form at the injection site. This may last for weeks but no treatment is needed.
Find out how to manage common vaccine side effects. If you’re worried, talk to a health professional.
Safety data
See safety data for the free vaccines given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months of age and 4 years of age from AusVaxSafety.
Checking immunisation history
You can get proof of your vaccination for you or your child. Visit the Check immunisation history page to find out how.
Information for health professionals
If you are a health professional, visit our Vaccination clinical support for health professionals page for more information.
You can also read the Australian Immunisation Handbook polio page.
Next steps
Talk to a health professional to confirm if the polio vaccine is free or recommended for your child.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
More information
- View our NIP resources.
- Watch our video called What is polio? to find out why childhood polio vaccination is so important.
- Visit our Childhood immunisation site.
- Read the Poliomyelitis vaccines for Australians page on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia website.
Polio vaccine
Find out how effective the polio vaccine is and learn more about potential side effects.
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