Your one stop Vaccination Clinic

Polio Vaccine

Polio Vaccine
for Travel

We provide a full range of travel vaccinations and medication

Polio

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system and can lead to permanent paralysis, particularly in the legs. In severe cases, it can affect the muscles used for breathing and even be life-threatening. Polio is primarily transmitted through food or water contaminated with faeces from an infected person, or through close contact with someone carrying the virus, especially in areas with poor sanitation. Although global vaccination efforts have significantly reduced its spread, polio remains a risk in some African and Asian countries. Travellers to affected regions should ensure they are fully vaccinated, especially if staying for extended periods or working in healthcare or humanitarian settings.

Vaccination Pricing

£39 Per dose
£39 Per Course

Signs & Symptoms

  • Fever

  • Sore throat

  • Headache

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Stiff neck and back

  • Muscle weakness or paralysis (in severe cases)

  • Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)

Hawne Chemist & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 0121 501 3518

Email: westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

177 Stourbridge Rd, Halesowen, B63 3UD

Bills Pharmacy & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 01384 872117

Email: westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

29 High St, Kinver, Stourbridge, DY7 6HF

Millard and Bullock Chemist & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 01902 883 182

Email: westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

Castle Street, Bilston, WV14 9DD

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.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects young children but can also impact unvaccinated adults. In most cases, polio causes no symptoms or only mild, flu-like illness. However, in a small percentage of cases, the virus attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, typically in the legs, and in the most severe instances, it can result in respiratory failure or death. Once a major global health threat, polio has been eliminated in most parts of the world due to effective vaccination campaigns, but it still exists in some countries and can resurface if vaccination coverage declines.

Polio spreads through the faecal-oral route, often by ingesting food or water contaminated with faeces containing the virus. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. The best protection against polio is vaccination. In the UK, the polio vaccine is included as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme. Maintaining high vaccine coverage is essential to prevent outbreaks, particularly when people travel to or from regions where the virus is still present. Good hygiene and sanitation are also important preventive measures, especially in high-risk areas.

Most people infected with the poliovirus show no symptoms, but about one in four may experience mild symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, nausea, and stiffness in the neck or back. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days. In fewer than one percent of cases, the virus invades the central nervous system and causes muscle weakness or paralysis. Paralytic polio may lead to permanent disability, and in rare cases, it can affect the muscles involved in breathing, leading to life-threatening complications. Some individuals may develop post-polio syndrome years later, which involves progressive muscle weakness and fatigue.

In the UK, the polio vaccine is given as part of a combined injection known as the 6-in-1 vaccine during infancy, followed by booster doses at later stages. The full course of childhood vaccinations offers long-term protection, which is believed to last for decades. A booster dose is sometimes recommended for adults travelling to areas where polio is still circulating, especially if their last dose was more than ten years ago. Individuals who are unsure about their vaccination status should consult their GP or a travel health clinic before departure.

The polio vaccine may be required or strongly advised for travel to countries where the virus is still present or where there is an increased risk of transmission. This includes parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and occasionally other countries during outbreaks. Some countries require proof of recent polio vaccination for entry or exit, especially during public health emergencies. Travellers planning long-term stays, aid work, or visiting rural areas should ensure their vaccination is up to date and may need a booster dose depending on the destination and the length of stay.

The polio vaccine used in the UK is an inactivated injectable vaccine (IPV), which is very safe and well tolerated. Most side effects are mild and short-lived, such as tenderness or redness at the injection site, a mild fever, or irritability in children. Serious reactions, such as allergic responses, are extremely rare. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), still used in some countries, is also generally safe but has a very small risk of causing vaccine-derived poliovirus in under-immunised communities. The inactivated vaccine used in the UK does not carry this risk, making it a safe and effective way to protect individuals and communities from this potentially disabling disease.

Use the map below to identify areas of risk for travel.

Simply call the clinic of your choice or send us an email enquiry, and our travel specialists will get back to you as soon as possible.

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The West Midlands Travel Clinic offers a wide range of vaccines and travel vaccinations.

Contact us today to get your and your loved ones protected.

Same Day Appointments

We are pleased to offer same-day appointments at the West Midlands Travel Clinic, to ensure you receive prompt and efficient care when you need it most.

Expert Pharmacists

Our team includes expert pharmacists who are dedicated to providing you with personalised and professional healthcare advice.

Competitive Pricing

We offer competitive pricing on our vaccinations to ensure that essential healthcare is both affordable and accessible to everyone.

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