Poliomyelitis Vaccination In Harrow
Polio is a serious infection caused by the poliovirus. It can infect the spinal cord, causing inability to move parts of the body (paralysis) and in some cases can become life threatening.
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Price: £40 Per Dose
Travel Polio vaccination in Harrow
Seeking to protect the health and wellbeing of travelers, our clinic in Harrow offers a vital service – the polio vaccination. This preventative measure is of the utmost importance, as polio is a highly contagious and potentially devastating disease that can cause lifelong paralysis or even death.
By administering this safe and effective vaccine, our team of experienced medical professionals helps safeguard individuals embarking on journeys near and far, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary immunity to avoid contracting polio, even in regions where the disease remains endemic.
The vaccination process is quick and painless, involving a simple injection that stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies capable of recognizing and neutralizing the poliovirus.
Why choose Travel Polio vaccination in Harrow?
Choosing to receive your travel polio vaccination from our trusted clinic in Harrow is the smart and responsible choice for any traveler. Our highly-trained medical staff are experts in administering this crucial vaccine, which provides essential protection against the debilitating polio virus when visiting regions where the disease is still prevalent.
Not only do we utilize the latest, most effective polio vaccine formulations, but we also take the time to thoroughly educate each patient on the importance of this immunization and how it works to safeguard their health.
Beyond the superior quality of our vaccinations, our clinic offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility. Conveniently located in the heart of Harrow, we provide flexible appointment scheduling to seamlessly fit your busy travel plans.
What to expect from your travel polio vaccination in Harrow?
The polio vaccination you’ll receive before your travels is a critical safeguard, as the disease remains a threat in certain parts of the world. Upon arriving at your vaccination appointment, you can expect a quick and straightforward process.
The nurse or doctor will first review your medical history and any previous polio vaccinations you may have received. They’ll then administer the vaccine, which is typically given as an injection in the arm.
You may feel a slight pinch or sting, but the discomfort is minimal and fleeting. After the injection, you’ll be asked to wait for 15-30 minutes to ensure you don’t have any immediate adverse reactions.
During this observation period, the medical staff will monitor you closely. It’s common to experience mild side effects like soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, as well as low-grade fever or muscle aches.
These symptoms are a normal immune system response and typically subside within a day or two. You’ll also be provided with information on what to watch for in the days following your vaccination, in case any more serious side effects develop.
Recommendations For Travellers
Practice safe hand hygiene and food and water precautions during travel to reduce your risk of exposure to polio virus; it is spread through unsafe food and water.
There are vaccines that protect you from polio.
If you are travelling to a country where poliovirus is considered high risk, or a country which is reporting an outbreak, you should consider:
Review both the Vaccinations and Alerts sections of each country page for information on vaccination and certificate requirements, and discuss with your travel health advisor if you are unsure.
Vaccination
Adults
REVAXIS is the vaccine used in the UK to protect adults against polio. The vaccine is a combination vaccine which is also used to protect against diphtheria and tetanus diseases.
Children
Infanrix hexa, Vaxelis, Boostrix-IPV, REPEVAX and REVAXIS are the vaccines used in the UK to protect children against polio. The vaccine used depends on the child’s age but they are all combination vaccines which also protect against other diseases.
Overview of the Disease
Poliovirus only infects people and it is very contagious.
The virus lives in an infected person’s throat and intestines. It enters the body through the mouth and spreads through:
- contact with the poo from an infected person
- droplets from a cough or sneeze from an infected person, this is less common
You can become infected if you:
- have poo on your hands and you touch your mouth
- put objects in your mouth that are contaminated with the infected poo
Food and water can sometimes become contaminated with the poo from an infected person in areas where sanitation and personal hygiene are poor.
Polio mainly affects children. The virus can be prevented by vaccination, meaning that if every child in the world is vaccinated against polio, the virus could be completely eliminated.
The Illness
Most people who are infected with poliovirus won’t have any obvious symptoms, but could still pass on the infection to others without knowing.
Some people will develop flu-like symptoms such as:
In a small number of people, the virus may attack the nerves of the spine and brain, causing more serious symptoms such as:
Treatment
There is no cure for polio. Treatment may include resting in bed, taking pain killers or stretching exercises to prevent problems with muscles and joints.
Those suffering from mild or no symptoms will fully recover from the infection, with supportive treatment.
Those who develop more serious symptoms may be left with persistent problems or a permanent disability. If the breathing muscles are affected, hospital care may be required to assist the lungs to breathe as this can become life threatening.