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Immunizations - travel vaccinations - Management
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Definition
- Poliomyelitis is an acute illness caused by invasion of the gastrointestinal tract by the polio virus. Transmission is via faeces and pharyngeal secretions.
- Most people (95%) who become infected with poliomyelitis are asymptomatic. However, a small number of infected people (< 1%) will go on to develop flaccid paralysis, affecting the legs or the facial nerves.
When is poliomyelitis vaccination indicated?
- Vaccination is indicated for people who are travelling to areas or countries where poliomyelitis is epidemic or endemic who:
- Have not been previously immunized.
- Have not been fully immunized according to the UK schedule.
- Received their last dose of polio vaccine 10 years (or longer) ago.
In depth
What types of poliomyelitis vaccines are available?
- There are two types of poliomyelitis vaccine available in the UK — inactivated and oral live (no longer recommended).
- The polio vaccine is normally given as part of a combined product:
- Infanrix-IPV-Hib®, Pediacel® (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
- Infanrix-IPV® (DTaP/IPV or dTaP/IPV)
- Repevax® (dTaP/IPV)
- Revaxis® (Td/IPV)
In depth
What schedule is used for poliomyelitis?
- Children under 10 years who have not been vaccinated: vaccinate according to the childhood vaccination programme. See the CKS topic on Immunizations - childhood.
- For children over 10 years of age, and adults who have not been vaccinated, give:
- A primary course: three doses of vaccine (as Td/IPV) 1 month apart.
- Two booster doses: the first 5–10 years after the last dose of the primary course, and the second 10 years later.
- Give a booster dose to anyone who has been fully vaccinated (received five doses), has not received a booster dose in the last 10 years, and is travelling to polio-endemic regions.
In depth
What are the adverse effects of poliomyelitis vaccine?
- Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site are common and may occur more frequently following subsequent doses. A small, painless nodule may form at the injection site; this usually disappears and is of no consequence.
- Confirmed anaphylaxis occurs extremely rarely.
In depth
Prescriptions
Poliomyelitis vaccine: primary course
Age from 2 months to 3 years
Primary course: diphtheria+tetanus+pertussis+polio+Hib
Infanrix-IPV + Hib vaccine inj 0.5ml pfs
Give 0.5ml by intramuscular injection. For primary immunization, give three doses at intervals of 1 month between doses.
Supply 1 0.5 ml prefilled syringe.
Age from 2 months to 9 years 11 months
Primary course: diphtheria+tetanus+pertussis+polio+Hib
Pediacel vaccine suspension for injection 0.5ml vials
Give 0.5ml by intramuscular injection. For primary immunization, give three doses at intervals of 1 month between doses.
Supply 1 0.5ml vial.
Age from 10 years onwards
Primary course: low-dose diphtheria+tetanus+polio
Revaxis vaccine suspension for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes
Give 0.5ml by deep intramuscular injection. For primary immunization, give three doses at intervals of 1 month between doses.
Supply 1 0.5ml prefilled syringe.
Poliomyelitis vaccine: booster dose
Age from 3 years to 9 years 11 months
Booster: low-dose diphtheria+tetanus+pertussis+polio
Repevax vaccine suspension for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes
Give 0.5ml by intramuscular injection.
Supply 1 0.5 ml prefilled syringe.
Age from 10 years onwards
Booster: low-dose diphtheria+tetanus+polio
Revaxis vaccine suspension for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes
Give 0.5ml by intramuscular injection.
Supply 1 0.5 ml prefilled syringe.
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