Polio (referred to medically as poliomyelitis) is a serious disease caused by infection with any of the 3 strains of poliovirus. The virus is live for 6 weeks. It is spread via water, food or hands contaminated with the faeces (poo) or throat secretions of someone who is infected with the virus. The infected person may or may not have any symptoms, but can still spread the virus.
Symptoms vary from mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening paralysis. In less than 1% of cases, polio causes permanent paralysis of the arms, legs or breathing muscles. Between 5% and 10% of people who develop paralytic polio will die.
Physical symptoms may emerge 15 years or more after the first polio infection. These new symptoms are called the ‘late effects of polio’. They include new muscle weakness, joint and muscle pain and fatigue.
Immunisation against polio
Immunisation is the best protection against polio. Immunisation is recommended for all infants, children and adults. The polio vaccine is given to children at 2, 4 and 6 months and at 4 years of age. This vaccine is combined with vaccines for other infectious diseases.
Immunisation against polio for children
Protection against polio is available free of charge for children under the National Immunisation Program. In Victoria, immunisation against polio is free for:
- babies at 2, 4 and 6 months – immunisation in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine (6-in-1 vaccine)
- children at 4 years – a booster dose in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio vaccine (4-in-1 vaccine)
- children up to and including 9 years of age – catch up immunisation with combination vaccines is available
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and asylum seekers from 10 years of age – catch-up immunisations with a polio-only vaccine are available for people who have not been fully vaccinated.
