infections
Polio
Prevention of Polio
 Polio Vaccine is included among routine childhood immunizations (see Two types of vaccine are available worldwide: An inactivated poliovirus vaccine (Salk vaccine) given by injection A live poliovirus vaccine (Sabin vaccine) taken by mouth (oral) The live oral vaccine is a weakened strain of poliovirus that does not cause disease. The oral vaccine provides better immunity in a population because people temporarily pass the vaccine virus in their stool so other people in their community may also be exposed to the vaccine. However, as the vaccine virus passes from person to person, it can very rarely mutate to a disease-causing form of the virus and cause 1 case of polio for every 2.4 million doses given. Because polio has been eradicated in the United States, doctors recommend only the injected inactivated poliovirus vaccine for children in this country. The oral vaccine is no longer available in the United States but is used in other parts of the world. A first vaccination of people older than 18 is not routinely recommended because the risk of acquiring polio as an adult is extremely low in the United States. Because polio still exists in certain areas, adults who have never been vaccinated or have not been given all the recommended doses and who are traveling to an area where polio is still a health risk should receive the full series of 3 doses of injected vaccine. Ideally, people are given 2 doses—4 to 8 weeks apart—before travel. Those who have been completely vaccinated should still be given one dose of injected vaccine. Local and state health departments have information about which areas have polio, as does theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. New York residents in areas with repeated poliovirus detection may be at higher risk of infection and should follow updated vaccination recommendations from the New York State Department of Health (seeNew York State Department of Health: Polio Vaccine). Widespread immunization can stop the spread of both types of polio outbreaks, and travelers to certain countries may need to show proof of adequate vaccination. 