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Polio FAQs
1. What is polio vaccination?
There are two types of polio vaccines. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) contains a live, weakened virus and is taken by mouth. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) contains killed (dead) virus and is given as an injection. IPV is generally only used in countries where polio has been eliminated. OPV is used for mass vaccination campaigns in countries where polio is still a threat. OPV is also used during outbreak situations, even in countries where the inactivated vaccine is otherwise included in the routine immunisation schedule. Several doses of vaccination are required to achieve immunity.
However, to completely eradicate polio, the OPV needs to be removed as it has the rare risks of vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). The withdrawal of OPVs occurred globally in a synchronised manner. From April 2016, countries began to switch from trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV).
2. What is a completed polio vaccination series?
Each country has its own polio immunisation schedule.
Children: Countries generally immunise children against polio using four doses of oral or injected vaccine. These begin soon after birth (when a baby is one or two months old) with the second dose at about four months. The third dose occurs between six and eighteen months. Then there is a longer delay, and the final dose is given when the child is four to six years old. Some countries administer a fifth dose during adolescence.
Adolescents and Adults: If someone is 13 or older when they receive their first polio vaccine, they usually only get three doses in their series. The first two are given one to two months apart. The third should be given six months to a year after the second dose. An accelerated schedule is available for those travelling to an endemic area sooner.
US health authorities say one booster should be enough to protect an individual for the rest of their life, but other countries (including Australia and the UK) recommend repeating the booster after 10 years if the person is still at risk.
3. Do travellers need polio vaccination?
Travellers should ensure their routine vaccinations, including polio, are up to date prior to departure. In addition, a booster dose of the polio vaccine may be recommended for some travellers if they are travelling to a country where the poliovirus is circulating.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made additional temporary vaccination recommendations to reduce the international spread of polio. People who live in, or visit for more than 4 weeks a country where poliovirus is circulating should have a polio vaccine booster before travelling internationally. This WHO recommendation is a guideline for national policy. The governments of these nations can enact different rules and requirements to meet the recommendation. This may include measures such as offering vaccination at departure points and requiring certificates from departing travellers before allowing them to exit the country.
It's best to get a booster at least 4 weeks before travelling, but it's beneficial to get it any time before departure, even if it is just a few days before leaving.
See the latest report on WHO temporary recommendations
4. Which countries are known to have poliovirus circulation according to the WHO?
According to the WHO, polio is endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which indicates that poliovirus circulation was never interrupted in these countries. Additionally, in some countries, the circulation of wild poliovirus had been stopped, but they are now experiencing reinfection. Some other countries have low immunity and weak surveillance, and are thus at risk of reinfection with poliovirus.
5. Which countries require proof of vaccination from travellers?
Countries where poliovirus is circulating require proof of polio vaccination from some travellers at the time of departure. Some polio-free countries require proof of polio vaccination for a visa or entry into their territory. See the International SOS Location Guide for details. Travellers should consult a travel health practitioner for individualised vaccination recommendations 6-8 weeks before their trip and check with the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
6. What do I need to show as documented proof of polio vaccination?
Certain locations require the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Other locations will accept the ICVP as well as any official vaccination record that includes details of the vaccinations received, vaccination date, and the health provider's signature, stamp and contact details.
7. What will happen if I don't have my vaccination record when I leave / arrive?
It is unclear what will happen to travellers who fail to meet the requirements, as border authorities may take different actions from the official policy. There is a possibility that travellers may be denied entry or offered vaccination at the border.
8. Can OPV and IPV be used interchangeably for vaccination?
Proof of polio vaccination with either OPV or IPV is accepted by some countries. For other countries, especially those with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), OPV may not be accepted. It is advisable to comply with requirements set by the WHO or national authorities.
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