Polio

About the vaccine

Polio is now rare in BC because of routine vaccination programs, but it is still important to get vaccinated to ensure it stays this way.

The polio vaccine is combined with other vaccines, so you can receive protection from several diseases with one shot. Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get polio.

For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, the benefits and possible reactions, read our HealthLink BC Files:

• DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib (105) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b). Three doses are given to children under the age of 7 years, usually at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. 
• DTaP-IPV-Hib (15b) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type b) A single dose is given as a booster to children at 18 months of age after completing a three dose primary series of DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib. (Some children may receive DTaP-IPV-Hib as a three-dose primary series at 2, 4 and 6 months followed by a booster dose at 18 months.)
• One does of DTaP-IPV (15a) (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio) vaccine is recommended for children 4 to 6 years of age and it's usually given as children start school.

About the disease

• Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system, causing paralysis and difficulty breathing
• The disease can be caused by direct contact with an infected person through food, water or hands contaminated with human feces (stool)
• Extensive use of polio vaccine has eliminated the disease in the western hemisphere. It is still common in some other areas of the world. Epidemics can occur when large numbers of people have not had the vaccine
• For more information on polio go to the polio (13c) BC HealthFile

Photo courtesy of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. More vaccine preventable disease images