Skip to main content
 

Book by phone:  +1 888 351 3336

 
 

Book by phone:  +1 888 351 3336

 
 

Book Online

 
 

Book Online

 
  • Home
  • About
  • Destinations
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • East Asia
    • Central Asia
    • South East Asia
    • North America
    • Central America
    • South America
    • Australasia & Pacific
  • Clinics
    • District Of Columbia
    • Texas
  • Vaccines
    • Cholera
    • Diphtheria
    • Hepatitis A
    • Hepatitis B
    • Japanese encephalitis
    • Malaria
    • Polio
    • Rabies
    • Tetanus
    • Tick-borne encephalitis
    • Typhoid
    • Yellow fever
    • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Travel Advice
  • Blog
  • COVID
 

Polio Travel Vaccination

 
 
 

Get the polio vaccine

 

The vaccine Adacel Polio protects adults from polio, diphtheria and tetanus with a single injection.

Most people living in Canada will have been vaccinated against polio as part of the AHS routine childhood vaccination programme. If it’s been a while since your last dose of the vaccine you should get a booster before travelling to a country that is affected by polio. Speak to a travel nurse at Global Travel Clinics to find out if you need a polio booster. Previous infection by polio does not give you immunity, so ask about vaccination even if you have had this illness.

 
 
 
 

About polio

 

Polio (poliomyelitis) is highly contagious and occurs in the gastro-intestinal tract and can spread to the nervous system. This viral infection can be very serious, resulting in lifelong paralysis, usually in the legs, in one in 200 people who catch the polio virus. It is spread via the faecal-oral route or by respiratory droplets.

Symptoms of polio

Most people (95%) who catch polio will not have any symptoms. Infected people, even those without symptoms, can spread the virus to others. Those who do have symptoms will experience some of the following for around a week starting about 20 days after infection:

  • abdominal pains
  • fever
  • headache
  • muscular pains
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sore throat.

If the virus attacks the nerves in the spine and at the base of the brain, paralysis can result. This paralysis is not always permanent, but if it spreads to the respiratory system, the patient may need to be supported with assisted breathing.

Countries where exposure to polio is a risk

The list of countries where there is an active spread of the polio virus changes frequently. You should ask your Global Travel Clinics nurse for the most up-to-date advice. Outbreaks often occur where the infrastructure has broken down because of conflict or natural disaster. Some of these countries may demand proof of vaccination against polio before you can leave, and you will be given a booster dose before you are allowed to exit.

Travellers at risk from polio

Aid workers and healthcare workers (including laboratory staff) and particularly those who will be working in places with poor sanitation should ensure their polio vaccination is kept up to date. Long-stay travellers and those visiting friends and relatives are also at risk of exposure. If you are travelling to care for a relative who is sick with polio, ask about a booster.

Prevent the spread of polio

The vaccine Adacel Polio protects adults from diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Children should be vaccinated under the national schedule. A booster is required every ten years if you are travelling to high-risk areas.

Polio spreads quickly where sanitation is poor and can be picked up from contaminated food and water. Choose water from sealed bottles, or water that has been treated. Avoid ice and peel fruit. Also take extra care with personal hygiene and hand washing.

Because polio can be spread via respiratory droplets, you should practice good sneezing and coughing etiquette and avoid touching your mouth or face with unwashed hands.

 
 

About Us

 

Our vaccination and travel health clinics will ensure that you are up-to-date on all the travel immunizations recommended by healthcare professionals. Global Travel Clinics will ensure you are protected by all the recommended shots before you leave the country. We are currently focusing on Covid-19 PCR Swab Test, Antigen test, Antibody Test & Travel Certificates.

 

Book

 

CALL OUR APPOINTMENTS BOOKING LINE +1 888 351 3336

 

Mailing

 

Corporate Office:

Global Travel Clinics
440 Louisiana St. Suite 900
Houston
TX
US 77002

+1 888 351 3336

 

Important Pages

 

About Us

Contact Us

Travel Clinics California

Travel Clinic New York

Travel Clinic Texas

 
 
 

© Global Travel Clinics 2021