Polio Vaccination
On This Page:
What Is Polio?
How Does Polio Spread?
What Is the Polio Vaccination?
Who Needs a Polio Vaccine?
Where Is Polio Found?
Where Can I Get the Polio Vaccine?
What Is Polio?
Polio (poliomyelitis) is a potentially deadly, life-altering disease. The virus enters the body and attacks the brain and spinal cord, often causing paralysis.
More than 70 percent of infected individuals show no symptoms. About 25 percent will have mild flu-like symptoms. Less than four percent of patients will have severe symptoms like meningitis or paralysis.
Polio paralysis can lead to permanent disability or death. In some cases, muscle pain, weakness or paralysis does not come until later in life.
The best form of protection against polio is through vaccination.
Polio Symptoms |
||
| Typical Symptoms | Serious Symptoms | |
|---|---|---|
| Sore Throat | Paresthesia (feeling of pins and needles in legs) |
|
| Fever | Meningitis | |
| Fatigue | Paralysis | |
| Nausea or Stomach Pain | Brain or Spinal Issues | |
| Headache | Permanent Disability or Death | |
Source: Centers for Disease Control
How Does Polio Spread?
Polio only affects humans and is spread through person-to-person contact. The most common vector is contaminated food or water, though sneezes or coughs can transmit the virus.
Infected people are contagious immediately before and up to 14 days after symptoms are gone. The virus can live in an infected person’s fecal matter for many weeks. This allows the virus to spread easily in areas with poor sanitary conditions.
Travelers should take extra precautions in regions with polio. Make sure you have been vaccinated and wash your hands or use sanitizers regularly.
What Is the Polio Vaccination?
The polio vaccination protects individuals from the polovirus. It is almost 100 percent effective in stopping the spread of the disease.
There are two variants in circulation, injectable and oral. Oral vaccination is used throughout most of the developing world. The United States uses injectable polio vaccine to prevent any accidental outbreaks.
Who Needs a Polio Vaccine?
The CDC recommends all children receive the polio vaccine. They should receive one dose at: two months, four months, six to 18 months and four to six-years-old. An accelerated schedule is available, if necessary.
The majority of adults do not need a polio immunization, as they were likely vaccinated as children. But, the CDC recommends some key groups consider receiving a polio booster:
- Travelers to areas where polio is present
- Works who may handle specimens of poliovirus
- Healthcare workers who may come in contact with infected persons
Consult a Passport Health travel specialist about your specific itinerary to see if polio vaccination is right for you.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Polio Vaccination
Overall rating: 5 stars – 5 reviews
★★★★★
“Expert quality“
“Wonderful experience. Upon arrival of my consultation, I was given a booklet with my name on it, my destination, and the time frame that I would be traveling. Inside included a plethora of information on certain vaccine recommendations for the specific area I was traveling to. I didn’t even realize polio is still a threat! We discussed the pro’s and con’s of each recommended vaccine, along with the price of each dosage. It was very informative and gave me peace of mind as I prepare to travel to a third-world country.”
Submitted by: Rachel
★★★★★
“Happy Client“
“I have been looking all over to get a polio vaccine. Everywhere I called have me the round around and made it difficult to complete this task. After searching through the internet I found Passport Health and it made the process very simple and had exactly what I needed. The website was easy to navigate and when I called customer they were helpful and friendly. When I got to my appointment it was quick and the Nurse I had my consultation with was friendly and informative. Didn’t feel a thing when I got me shot. Very satisfied with my visit.”
Submitted by: Irene
★★★★★
“full service travel clinic“
“As a world traveler for over 30 years (108 plus countries), Passport is a very reliable source of the latest information on vaccination requirements which are frequently changing. On my latest visit I received a Tetanus booster since it had been 7 years since my last one. The CDC is now suggesting that frequent overseas travelers update their tetanus protection every 5 rather than 10 years. Last year I received an adult polio booster, since my last polio vaccines dated back to childhood. The latest information on my countries and embassy contacts will be shared with family since I’m a solo traveler.”
Submitted by: Steven
★★★★★
“Great Vaccination Experience“
“Services the nurse/administrator in Oakland office provided to us today was in very good quality. She was thorough in explaining all items related to Kenya trip we need to have. Answered questions, skipped nothing, and gave us yellow fever vaccine shot professionally. We also received a much needed polio vaccine. At the end, we’re impressed and respected her work attitude.”
Submitted by: Paul
★★★★★
“Good Travel Clinic“
“Went to get my yellow fever vaccine today. The person recognized that I needed an updated polio vaccine, which I didn’t realize. The person was kind, and shared a the information I needed.”
Submitted by: Jessica
“Wonderful experience. Upon arrival of my consultation, I was given a booklet with my name on it, my destination, and the time frame that I would be traveling. Inside included a plethora of information on certain vaccine recommendations for the specific area I was traveling to. I didn’t even realize polio is still a threat! We discussed the pro’s and con’s of each recommended vaccine, along with the price of each dosage. It was very informative and gave me peace of mind as I prepare to travel to a third-world country.”
“I have been looking all over to get a polio vaccine. Everywhere I called have me the round around and made it difficult to complete this task. After searching through the internet I found Passport Health and it made the process very simple and had exactly what I needed. The website was easy to navigate and when I called customer they were helpful and friendly. When I got to my appointment it was quick and the Nurse I had my consultation with was friendly and informative. Didn’t feel a thing when I got me shot. Very satisfied with my visit.”
“As a world traveler for over 30 years (108 plus countries), Passport is a very reliable source of the latest information on vaccination requirements which are frequently changing. On my latest visit I received a Tetanus booster since it had been 7 years since my last one. The CDC is now suggesting that frequent overseas travelers update their tetanus protection every 5 rather than 10 years. Last year I received an adult polio booster, since my last polio vaccines dated back to childhood. The latest information on my countries and embassy contacts will be shared with family since I’m a solo traveler.”
“Services the nurse/administrator in Oakland office provided to us today was in very good quality. She was thorough in explaining all items related to Kenya trip we need to have. Answered questions, skipped nothing, and gave us yellow fever vaccine shot professionally. We also received a much needed polio vaccine. At the end, we’re impressed and respected her work attitude.”
“Went to get my yellow fever vaccine today. The person recognized that I needed an updated polio vaccine, which I didn’t realize. The person was kind, and shared a the information I needed.”
Where Is Polio Found?
Polio eradication is an ongoing effort across the globe. In 2017, there were less than 120 cases worldwide. But, many of these cases were in specific countries still fighting the disease.
Make sure you are properly vaccinated against polio before traveling to these countries:
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative provides weekly updates global cases.
Where Can I Get the Polio Vaccine?
All Passport Health clinics carry the polio vaccine in-stock and ready for you. Call or book online now to schedule your polio vaccination today!
US – English
CA – English
UK – English
Rest of World – English
