Ensure Patients Are Up to Date With Polio Vaccination

12 Dec Ensure Patients Are Up to Date With Polio Vaccination

Ensure Patients Are Up to Date With Polio Vaccination

Vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples and infected one unvaccinated person in New York this year. In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, polio vaccination rates among children remain low. 

Prevent community transmission by ensuring patients are up-to-date with polio vaccines in their upcoming well or sick visit. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, delaying immunizations at sick visits can lower immunization rates. Use every opportunity to vaccinate!

What is polio?

• A potentially disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus. 
• Usually spread through the fecal-oral route, and sometimes through the oral-oral route.
• Most people infected with polio have no apparent symptoms. Some experience mild symptoms (e.g. sore throat, fever, nausea).
• 1% of polio cases result in paralysis. Paralytic polio can result in death, especially among people diagnosed as adults.
• Up to 40% of children diagnosed with polio experience new symptoms in adulthood (post-polio syndrome).

Who should get vaccinated?

Pediatric

• All unvaccinated children should receive the polio vaccine (IPV).
• CDC recommends 3 doses of IPV for primary series and 1 booster dose for children at the following ages:
  • Dose 1: 2 months old
  • Dose 2: 4 months old
  • Dose 3: 6 through 18 months old
  • Booster: 4 through 6 years old
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children should receive IPV vaccination as soon as possible in accordance with the recommended catch-up schedule.

Adult

• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults who are at increased risk of infection (e.g. international travelers) should receive their completed series of IPV in the following intervals:
  • Dose 1: at any time
  • Dose 2: 1-2 months after Dose 1
  • Dose 3: 6-12 months after Dose 2