Immunisation for polio is given as one injection in combination with diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, hepatitis b and hib. From 2002 the vaccine NZ uses changed from the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to the inactivated Polio vaccine (IPV). The main advantage of IPV over OPV is that it is never associated with paralytic illness. That is, in countries using IPV, there are no vaccine-associated cases of polio. How good is the protection offered by this vaccine? Inactivated polio vaccine is very effective. Four doses are probably all that is needed to remain immune for life for over 90% of people. Mass campaigns in New Zealand in 1961 and 1962, using the oral polio vaccine, probably eliminated polio virus from circulating in this country.
The World Health Organisation is working hard to eradicate polio from the world. Once polio has been eradicated from all countries, no one will need the vaccine any more, but until then New Zealanders are at risk from "imported" cases of polio (unless they are protected by immunisation).
Anyone who has been overseas to countries where polio is still around, and has not been immunised with oral polio vaccine, may bring the virus back in their stools/faeces, even if they feel perfectly well. They could then infect people who have not been vaccinated. International resurgence of polio disease occurred in 2004 & 2005, following disease spread from Nigeria where religious leaders claimed the oral polio vaccine spread HIV and caused infertility. This claim proved completely unfounded, however the outbreak has spread to 18 previously polio free countries. In 2005 Indonesia reported 251 cases of polio, previously it had not had one case since 1995. Mass immunisation campaigns across Africa and other affected regions appear to be controlling the further spread. Until polio has been completely eradicated from the world, it is important to vaccinate against it. When is polio vaccine given?Polio vaccine is given at age 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months and a booster at age 4 years old. It is given in combination with diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis b and hib vaccines (DTaP-IPV-HepB/Hib) or (DTaP-IPV). What about side effects? The effects from the polio vaccine are mild such as reaction at injection site, occasional mild fever and sleepiness or crying, but no serious adverse events have been reported. What about Polio vaccine for adults? A booster dose for adults is recommended if you are travelling to a country where polio is still present - and the last polio vaccine was over 10 years ago.
The polio vaccine is free for adults who have not completed a primary course of 4 doses of Polio vaccine. Extra booster doses for travellers to at risk countries will need to pay for their immunisation.
Vaccines are prescription medicines. Talk to you nurse, doctor or midwife about any risks and the benefits of immunisation. |
