The Urwin Pharmacy Group
Polio Travel Vaccine
What is Polio?
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a potentially paralsing viral infection that exclusively infects humans. Polio is a vaccine preventable virus that is transmitted through direct contact with an infectious person, contaminated food or water and infected human faeces.
Most individuals who acquire polio do not develop symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may range from a mild illness with fever to meningitis or paralysis. Other symptoms of polio also include fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and pain in the limbs. Although paralysis occurs in less than one percent of infections it may be permanent. The overall risk of polio to travelers is very low with the last imported case in the UK occurring in 1993.
Polio Travel Vaccine
The objective of the UK immunisation programme is to provide a minimum of five doses of a polio-containing vaccine at appropriate intervals for all individuals. For adults and children from 10 years of age who have not received polio vaccinations in the past, a three-dose course of the vaccination can be provided.
In most circumstances five doses of polio containing vaccine at the appropriate intervals Is considered to give satisfactory long-term protection in the UK. However, travellers to areas or countries where there are recent reports of polio and whose last dose of polio vaccine was ten or more years ago should be offered a booster dose of a polio containing vaccine. The polio vaccine is recommended for:
- All individuals, from two months of age as part of the UK routine immunisation schedule
- Travelers to areas or countries where there are recent reports of polio and their last dose of polio vaccine was given 10 or more years ago
- Individuals at risk of exposure to polio through their work, e.g. certain healthcare workers and microbiology laboratory staff
Length of Protection
In most circumstances five doses of polio containing vaccine at the appropriate intervals Is considered to give satisfactory long-term protection in the UK. However, travellers to areas or countries where there are recent reports of polio and whose last dose of polio vaccine was ten or more years ago should be offered a booster dose of a polio containing vaccine.
Polio Travel Vaccine In Cumbria
If you are planning on travelling to a destination that requires a polio vaccine, then get in touch with one of our friendly team at any of our three pharmacies in Cumbria to book your appointment.