Polio Vaccine for Travel available at Worcester Travel Clinic

Your one stop Vaccination Clinic

Polio Vaccine

We provide a full range of travel vaccinations and medication

Polio

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can lead to paralysis, sometimes permanently. The virus is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person, though it can also spread through direct contact with someone who is infectious. While global vaccination efforts have significantly reduced the incidence of polio, isolated cases still occur in certain countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia.

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Vaccination Pricing

£39 Per dose

Signs & Symptoms

Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of reflexes
Muscle weakness
Sudden onset of paralysis

Claines Pharmacy & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 01905 453 703

Email: worcestertravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

Claines Pharmacy 153 Ombersley Rd, Worcester, WR3 7BX

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Evans Pharmacy & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 01684 575 216

Email: malverntravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

Evans Pharmacy 231 Worcester Rd, Malvern, WR14 1SU

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The Vaccination

Ages (Years)	Doses Required	Schedule	Time before travel	Boost required at
6 – 85	1	–	Up to day before*	10 years

*Vaccine most effective when given enough time to become active. Some immunity will be provided for your travels if it’s given up to the day before travel.

What is Polio?

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects the central nervous system. It is caused by the poliovirus, which can invade the spinal cord and brain, leading to muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. While many people infected with the virus show no symptoms or only mild, flu-like illness, a small proportion develop more serious complications, including permanent disability or, in rare cases, death. Polio mainly affects children under the age of five but can impact people of any age. Thanks to global vaccination efforts, polio has been eliminated in most countries, but it remains a health concern in regions where immunisation rates are low or inconsistent.

How does it spread and how to prevent it?

Polio spreads primarily via the faecal-oral route, which means the virus is transmitted when food, water, or hands contaminated with faeces from an infected person are ingested. It can also spread through direct contact with the saliva or respiratory droplets of an infected individual. The virus multiplies in the intestines, making unhygienic conditions a significant risk factor. Prevention relies heavily on vaccination, which is highly effective at providing long-term immunity. In addition to vaccination, improved sanitation, clean drinking water, good hand hygiene, and proper waste disposal are crucial in stopping transmission, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure. Avoiding high-risk areas or ensuring up-to-date immunisation before travel is also an important preventative step.

What are the symptoms?

Polio symptoms can vary widely depending on the severity of the infection. In most cases, individuals infected with the poliovirus do not show any symptoms, or they may experience only mild, flu-like illness. These early symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, muscle stiffness or tenderness, and generalised back or neck pain. These signs may last for a few days and resolve without complications, often going unnoticed or being mistaken for a common viral infection.

However, in more serious cases, the virus can invade the nervous system and cause a range of neurological symptoms. These include limb weakness, loss of reflexes, tingling or numbness, and the sudden onset of paralysis—most commonly affecting the legs. In the most severe cases, polio can impair the muscles used for breathing and swallowing, leading to respiratory failure. Paralysis caused by polio may be permanent, and in rare instances, the disease can be fatal. Prompt medical attention is essential if neurological symptoms appear, particularly in regions where polio is still a risk.

How long does the vaccine last?

The polio vaccine offers long-lasting protection. In the UK, children typically receive the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule—given in multiple doses from infancy through to teenage years. After completing the full course, protection is believed to be long-term, often lasting for life. However, for adults travelling to high-risk areas, a booster dose is recommended if it has been more than 10 years since their last vaccination. This booster provides added protection in case of exposure, particularly in areas where polio is still circulating.

Countries I need the vaccine for

While polio has been eliminated in most of the world, there are still some countries where the virus is present either due to ongoing transmission or vaccine-derived outbreaks. These include Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, where routine vaccination may be inconsistent. Travellers to these regions may be required to show proof of recent polio vaccination when entering or leaving the country. Additionally, if you are staying for extended periods or working in healthcare or humanitarian roles in these areas, a booster dose may be strongly advised. The list of affected countries can change, so it is important to check up-to-date travel health advice from reputable sources like the NHS or WHO before departure.

Vaccine Side effects

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), used in the UK and many other countries, is very safe and well-tolerated. Most people experience no side effects. If they do occur, they are usually mild and temporary, such as soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, a mild fever, and fatigue or irritability in children.

Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), used in some countries, is also effective but is no longer used in the UK due to a very small risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus in rare cases. Overall, the benefits of polio vaccination far outweigh the risks, and maintaining high vaccination coverage is essential to prevent re-emergence of this potentially devastating disease.