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Poliomyelitis (polio) is a serious infectious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms vary from mild, flu-like symptoms to life-threatening paralysis. Between two and five per cent of people who develop paralytic polio will die. Half of those who survive will have permanent paralysis.
Polio can be prevented with immunisation. All children and adults should receive the vaccine. If you are not immunised, you could contract polio if your food, water or hands are contaminated with the faeces (poo) of an infected person.
Serious side effects or allergic reactions to the vaccine are rare. If you are concerned about your reaction or your child’s reaction to any vaccine, see your doctor immediately.
Immunisation can prevent polio becoming widespread
The first new case of polio in Australia since 1986 was reported in July 2007. Prior to this, the entire western Pacific region, including Australia, had been declared polio-free since 2000.
New cases of polio in Australia are rare, but the disease remains a health risk for travellers to some countries of the world. If Australian children and adults are not immunised, polio could again become a problem.
The polio vaccine
Before November 2005, the oral (given by mouth) polio vaccine was routinely provided in Australia. This vaccine contains small amounts of weakened live poliovirus. In rare cases (about one in every 2.5 million doses), it can cause paralysis (vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis, or VAPP).
In November 2005, an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) replaced the oral vaccine (OPV) in Australia. This vaccine is given by injection, rather than by mouth, and does not cause vaccine-associated paralysis.
In Victoria, the polio vaccine is combined with vaccines for other diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).
Immunisation for children
For babies and children, a course of four injections is required for long-lasting immunity. In Victoria, the combined vaccine is given free of charge to children at:
- Two, four and six months (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine)
- Four years of age – prior to starting school (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine).
The injectable vaccine is interchangeable with the oral polio vaccine (which is no longer available in Australia). So if a child had one or more doses of the oral polio vaccine before 1 November 2005, their remaining doses can be given as injectable vaccine.
Catch-up immunisations are available free of charge to any school child over eight years of age who has not been fully immunised against the disease.
Immunisation for adults
Adults having a polio immunisation for the first time should receive a course of three injections with an interval of four weeks between the doses. If you have not received at least three doses of polio vaccine, speak to your doctor about catch-up doses.
Booster doses of the vaccine are recommended every ten years for adults who:
- Travel to countries where polio is present
- Are health workers in contact with patients with polio.
Before immunisation
Before receiving the vaccine, tell your doctor or nurse if you or your child:
- Has had a serious reaction to any vaccine or vaccine component (for example, neomycin)
- Is unwell on the day of immunisation (temperature over 38.5˚C).
Possible side effects of the vaccine
All vaccines and medicines can have side effects. However, these are usually not serious. Severe reactions to the polio vaccine are rare – they are much less common than the effects that occur with the disease itself. Some people may experience a mild adverse reaction to the vaccine. These tend to happen soon after immunisation and continue for a couple of days.
Minor side effects may include:
- Muscle aches
- Mild temperature
- Soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site
- Unsettled and grizzly behaviour
- Sleepiness.
There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction to any vaccine. It is important to stay at the clinic where the immunisation was given for 15 minutes after the immunisation.
Reducing the side effects
Side effects of the vaccine can be reduced by:
- Giving paracetamol to reduce any fever – check the label for the correct dose (especially for children)
- Holding a cold, wet cloth against the injection site
- Drinking extra fluids
- Making sure to avoid overheating – don’t overdress your child.
If you are concerned about any reaction to the vaccine, contact your doctor or hospital.
Travellers should be immunised
If you are travelling overseas, speak to your doctor before you go about whether you need a booster polio immunisation for the country or countries you are visiting. As of 2008, polio is still prevalent in Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several other countries that were free of polio have been re-infected including Angola, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nepal, Niger, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your local Maternal and Child Health nurse
- Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
- Immunisation Program, Department of Health Victoria Tel. 1300 882 008
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Smart Traveller website
- Your local council immunisation service
- National Immunisation Infoline Tel. 1800 671 811
Things to remember
- New cases of polio in Australia are rare, but the disease remains a health risk for travellers to some countries of the world.
- If children and adults are not immunised, polio may re-establish in Australia.
- In Victoria, the polio vaccine for children is combined with vaccines for other diseases.
- You need several doses of the inactivated polio vaccine before you are fully protected.
You might also be interested in:
Immunisation - childhood.
Infections - bacterial and viral.
Polio.
Polio - symptoms in later years.
Vaccines.
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