Poliomyelitis (Polio)

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a serious disease caused by infection transmitted from person to person, mainly via water, food or hands contaminated with faeces or throat secretions of an infected person.

The virus is live for 6 weeks and the infected person may not show any symptoms but can still spread the virus. The initial symptoms following a polio infection are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs.

However, in some rare cases, the virus may cause life threatening complications such as permanent paralysis of the arms, legs, or breathing muscles.

Eligible under the NIP in-pharmacy:

• Infant and children at 2, 4 6 months 4 years of age as part of routine childhood vaccination (only South Australian pharmacists are eligible to vaccinate).
• All people (including refugees and humanitarian entrants) less than 20 years of age* who have missed childhood vaccine.
• Catch up for adult refugees and humanitarian entrants 20 years and over* who have missed their childhood vaccines.

Eligible Privately:

• Adolescents and adults 20 years and over who have not received polio-containing vaccine at the recommended schedule or not receive the polio vaccine as part of their childhood vaccination.
• People with higher risk of exposure to polio are recommended to receive a booster vaccinations every 10 years such as healthcare and laboratory workers, and travelers to polio endemic or epidemic areas and/or countries.

*Speak with your local 777 Pharmacist to check state eligibility to vaccinate.