When we give the combination Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib) for the primary series to a child at ages 2, 4, 6, and 15–18 months, the child receives a total of 4 doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Does the child still need a booster dose of IPV before entering kindergarten?

Yes. In 2009 ACIP updated its recommendations for use of IPV, partly in response to the availability of newer combination vaccines (e.g., Pentacel) that include an IPV component. The change did not apply to children who had already completed an acceptable 4-dose series of IPV before the updated schedule was published in August 2009. Since August 2009, ACIP has recommended that children receive at least 1 dose of IPV at age 4 through 6 years, even if they have previously received 4 doses. The interval between the next-to-last and last dose should be at least 6 months. This updated recommendation applies to all IPV-containing vaccines, including combination vaccines as well as IPV given as a single product. This means that some children may receive a total of 5 doses, a practice ACIP considers acceptable. This is similar to the recommendation for the last dose in the DTaP series. To view the current polio vaccine recommendations, go to the ACIP recommendations website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/polio.html.