Polio vaccination
What is it?
Polio is a highly contagious, acute viral infection which can be life-threatening. The disease attacks the nervous system and can cause limb and respiratory muscle paralysis through permanent nerve damage.
Countries at risk
Since routine polio vaccination programmes were introduced, polio has mostly been wiped out globally, but it is still widespread in Central Africa and is also found in India, Pakistan, Central Asia, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
Travel precautions
For those travelling to the most common destinations outside of Europe, we recommend travellers have vaccinations for Typhoid, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP), and Hepatitis A. Anyone who regularly travels to the developing world or for a prolonged period of time is recommended to also have a vaccination for Hepatitis B. And those who plan to visit rural parts of developing countries should consider a Cholera vaccination. Called Dukoral, this vaccination has the added benefit of reducing the risk of a common diarrhoea caused by the bacteria E.coli. This oral vaccination is taken in two doses which are spaced one week apart.
Poor hygiene and sanitation is the main cause of polio, so it is very important to maintain good hand sanitation and hygiene. You should only drink water that has been boiled or that is from a sealed bottle and avoid salad washed in tap water, as well as ice cubes. Any fruit should be peelable and it is best to avoid uncooked food, as well as eating only freshly cooked food which is piping hot.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of polio include headaches, fever, vomiting and fatigue and typically appear after 20 days. In very rare cases, a patient can be permanently paralysed and this can mean their breathing muscles become immobilised, leading to death.
The vaccination
The UK’s childhood vaccination programme includes Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio, but travellers to areas of risk need to have a booster after 10 years.
Some countries where there is a high risk of polio, such as Pakistan, may require proof of vaccination if the disease is endemic while you are there.
Availability
Choose your preferred pharmacy to enquire about the service online or pop in anytime.
