Can I get a polio vaccination while I’m pregnant?

It is not recommended that you get vaccinated against polio while pregnant. The vaccine should be given only to those pregnant women whose risk of polio acquisition is extremely high.

When is it safe to get pregnant after being vaccinated?

There is no specific recommendation regarding the time interval between polio vaccination and pregnancy. However, taking into consideration that polio vaccine is theoretically harmful to a fetus, it is recommended that you wait to get pregnant for at least one month after vaccine administration (as in the case of other risky vaccines).

How can I reduce my chances of getting polio?

Since polio is mostly transmitted via contaminated food, drink, and objects, try to follow the steps below to reduce your risk of disease acquisition: Wash your hands with soap and water (especially before you eat); Drink safe water (do not drink tap water); Eat safe food (avoid street food).

What activities are high-risk?

Staying with locals; Having contact with a person who has been recently immunized with an oral polio vaccine; Working as a physician in high-risk areas.

Polio vaccine

This is a practical guide to poliomyelitis vaccination.

The best part?

We’ll give you only factual information based on reliable sources and our nearly 20 years of experience in travel medicine.

If you like saving money and getting only absolutely necessary travel vaccinations, you’ll like this guide.

Let’s get started!

By Slava Fuzayloff | Published on November 23, 2023

Contents

At a glance

Required or recommended? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it; it’s never required
How is poliomyelitis (polio) transmitted? Through the fecal–oral and oral–oral routes (see the details below)
Is polio vaccine a part of routine childhood immunization? Yes, four doses of the polio vaccine are given to children as part of routine childhood immunizations
Duration of polio vaccine protection: Lifelong immunity after adult booster dose
Adult booster necessary? Yes, if you are traveling to a high-risk area

Poliomyelitis (Polio) Vaccine Info

Childhood vaccine schedule

The table below shows the poliomyelitis childhood immunization schedule. Please, check your records to see whether you have received all the needed shots within the needed time intervals.

Polio Vaccination Schedule

First shot at 2 months

Second shot at 4 months

Third shot at 6–18 months

Fourth shot at 4–6 years of age

Effectiveness of Polio Vaccine

99% – 100%

Duration of
Polio Vaccine Protection

At least 18 years if all shots are completed

Adult booster schedule

The table below shows the recommended vaccination schedule for people who have completed their poliomyelitis childhood immunizations.

Polio Vaccine Schedule

One booster in adulthood for:

Those who do not have vaccine records to check

Those who do not have time for blood work to check for immunity

Those who are raveling to high-risk country

Laboratory workers

Physicians that work with poliomyelitis patients

* The one-dose booster schedule applies only to adults who completed the routine polio routine immunization schedule (four doses).

Effectiveness of Polio Vaccine

100%

Duration of
Polio Vaccine Protection

Lifelong

Where It’s Most Common

Poliomyelitis is being eradicated in most countries. Over the past 30 years, the number of polio cases has decreased by 99%. In 2018, only 33 cases were reported worldwide.
Today, polio is endemic in only three countries:

Afganistan
Nigeria
Pakistan

About Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a viral infection that may cause serious life-threatening complications. Though this infectious disease mainly affects children (and is also known as “infantile paralysis”), infected adults are more likely to develop complications and permanent conditions and to die.
The introduction of vaccines was a major public health achievement that helped eradicate polio in the United States. Before the invention of safe and effective polio vaccines, [4] Polio Vaccine https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/polio/vaccine.htm the disease killed thousands of Americans a year.
In this section, you will find a brief summary of polio and its treatment, transmission, and manifestation.

How is polio spread? Symptoms of polio Incubation period of polio Treatment of polio

Polio Vaccination FAQ

Here are the questions our patients frequently ask about the polio vaccination. [2] Polio Vaccination https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/index.html We’ve answered them based on 20 years of being the busiest travel clinic in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Let’s dive in!

Polio vaccine FAQ

Pregnancy FAQ

Side effects FAQ

Making a Decision about Getting a Shot

I don’t have time to be vaccinated.
How can I reduce my chances of getting sick?

Polio
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polio/
Polio Vaccination
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/index.html
Polio Vaccination Recommendations for Adults
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/polio/hcp/recommendations.html
Polio Vaccine
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/polio/vaccine.htm

How long does the initial childhood series last?

People who completed the initial childhood series will be immune to polio for at least 18 years.

Who should get an adult booster shot?

An adult booster shot is recommended for people who:

Plan to visit high-risk areas (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria)
Work with polio-positive patients
Deal with polio infection in the laboratory setting

What if I plan to travel to a low-risk country?

All the countries of the world except Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria are considered low risk for polio transmission. Many countries are even recognized as polio-free (European countries, the United States, and others).
However, the risk of a polio epidemic exists as long as there is a chance of even one polio-positive traveler visiting a country with a low polio immunization level.
That is why it is always recommended to be up to date on polio vaccination whether you’re traveling to a low-risk or high-risk region of the world.

What if I plan to travel in the United States?

Polio has not been transmitted in the United States for about 30 years. However, there is always a chance of a traveler bringing the polio virus to the United States and affecting people with low immunity to polio (it happened in 1993). So, there is always a small chance of getting polio from visiting areas of the country. Therefore, it is recommended that you get a polio shot for your own safety.

How common is it to get an adult booster shot?

Not very. Since the United States is considered a polio-free country, the booster polio shot is not routinely administered in health clinics. However, it is still recommended that people be up to date on polio vaccination.

How often should I get booster shots after the initial series?

If you get a single booster shot 18 years after your childhood vaccinations, you will have lifelong immunity to polio.

Do any blood tests exist that would confirm my immunity to polio?

Yes! There is a specific test that detects the level of antibodies against poliomyelitis in your blood.

Is it required or recommended?

A booster dose of the polio vaccine is not required but it is recommended for everyone 21 or older who is at increased risk of polio acquisition (laboratory workers, international travelers) and does not have laboratory proof of polio immunity.

Who cannot get a polio vaccination?

The polio vaccine should never be given to people who were severely allergic to a previously administered injectable poliomyelitis vaccine shot. Also, the vaccine should be avoided by people who are allergic to polymyxin B, streptomycin, or neomycin.

How long before I travel should I get the polio shot?

Ideally, you should get a booster shot of polio vaccine at least four weeks before traveling. However, if you receive the vaccine later, it will provide partial protection at the beginning of your trip, and you will continue to develop immunity to poliomyelitis during your trip.

I am late getting my polio vaccination. Is it still worthwhile getting it?

Yes! The polio vaccine given before your departure will provide partial protection against the disease.

I cannot find my records. Is an extra dose of polio vaccine harmful to my health?

No! An extra dose of polio vaccine is completely safe.

How can I find my records?

Unfortunately, the United States has no nationwide system that maintains vaccine administration records. You can try to find your records by following the suggestions below.

Ways to Find Your Vaccine Administration Record
Check your medical records at the healthcare facility where you received the vaccine	Contact your school or college
Ask your parents if they have those records	Contact your past employers (some of them require proof of immunization)
Check old medical records from your childhood	Contact your current healthcare provider Contact your local health department

What side effects should I expect after a polio vaccination?

The polio vaccine [1] Polio https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polio/ is safe and effective. The majority of people have no vaccine-related side effects. However, as with any vaccine, some adverse effects are possible:

Common Side Effects	Rare Side Effects
local redness, pain, swelling general discomfort	hives swelling of the throat difficulty breathing fast heartbeat dizziness serious injury (arm injury, arthritis, etc.) These are allergy-associated side effects.

What should I do if I have side effects?

It is important to recognize the polio vaccine–associated side effects and know what action to take. See the table below.

Severe Side Effects	Minor Side Effects
Call 911 immediately if you have signs of vaccine allergy, such as: swelling of the throat difficulty breathing fast heartbeat * If you have a vaccine-related injury, call 1-800-338-2382 for compensation.	Usually, minor side effects include local pain and general discomfort. They tend to resolve in one or two days and do not require any medical attention. Drink water and take over-the-counter medication, such as Tylenol, Advil, or Benadryl, as needed. *Call us at 212-696-5900 or call your primary care physician if symptoms do not resolve within 48 hours.

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