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Get your polio
vaccine today

Although most people in the United States have never seen a case of polio (poliomyelitis), the illness has not been entirely eradicated.* That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend children be vaccinated.

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A child looks down at the vaccination bandage on their arm.

Important information about polio

The CDC recommends that children get four doses of polio vaccine,* and each dose should be administered at each of the following ages: 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 through 18 months old, and 4 through 6 years old.

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What you should know about polio

Polio is a disease that can cause paralysis

Polio is a serious disease that is caused by a virus. It is most often transmitted through direct contact with someone who has the virus, but some people get it through food and water.

Schedule your polio vaccination
A microscopic image of the virus that causes polio.

Polio has not been eradicated

The number of polio cases has been substantially lowered, but not eradicated. There is no cure for polio once infected, so the CDC still urges children be vaccinated to protect them from this devastating illness.

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CDC urges children be vaccinated

Polio vaccines are not mandated by federal law. However, according to the CDC, laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia* require this vaccination for children entering child care or public schools.

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Ready to get vaccinated?

Get vaccinated at a CVS Pharmacy® stores

Vaccinations are available* at more than 9,000 CVS Pharmacy stores and are administered by a certified immunizer.

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Pharmacy location

Get vaccinated at a MinuteClinic® location

We provide vaccinations at more than 900 MinuteClinic locations and can accept patients at least 18 months old.

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MinuteClinic location

The vaccines you need, all in one place®

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We offer 15+ vaccines, including:

  • Flu
  • COVID-19
  • Shingles
  • Pneumonia (pneumococcal)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Tdap

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FAQs

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no available data that exactly details the duration of effectiveness of the polio vaccine, but the general consensus is that it is effective for many years. For further information, visit the CDC page on the polio vaccine’s duration of protection at: https://www.CDC.gov/Vaccines/VPD/Polio/HCP/Effectiveness-Duration-Protection.html

Polio vaccines are not mandated by federal law, but there are laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that require this vaccination for children entering child care or public schools.

Learn more about vaccination laws

Learn more about vaccines from CDC

  • *FOR POLIO HAS NOT BEEN ENTIRELY DESTROYED: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why CDC is Working to End Polio Globally. June 28, 2023. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/polio/why-are-we-involved/index.html Accessed February 29, 2024.

  • *FOR CHILDREN GET FOUR DOSES OF POLIO VACCINE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Polio Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know. October 12, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/public/index.html Accessed February 29, 2024.

  • *FOR LAWS IN ALL 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State School Immunization Requirements and Vaccine Exemption Laws. February 2022. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/docs/school-vaccinations.pdf Accessed February 29, 2024.

  • *FOR VACCINE AVAILABILITY: Shingles vaccine shots are available when an immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic® practitioner is on duty, while supplies last. Eligible patients may not pay any copayments unless otherwise required by their plan. A prescription may be needed in certain states.