Polio: vaccine advice
Level 2
Updated: August 14, 2019
Note:
- Benin and Ghana have been added to the list of countries with outbreaks of polio.
Original publication date: March 07, 2018
Current situation
Polio remains consistently present (endemic) in three countries:
- Afghanistan
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
Outbreaks of polio are also currently occurring in:
- Angola
- Benin
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- China
- the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Indonesia
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Niger
- Papua New Guinea
- Somalia
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative provides an interactive map of countries with confirmed cases of polio.
About polio
Polio (Poliomyeltis) is a highly contagious disease. It can cause paralysis and death. It is spread through the feces of a person who is infected with the virus. It enters the body through your mouth, mainly from food or water that is contaminated with feces.
There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented by vaccination. Some countries may require that you show proof of polio vaccination to enter or leave their country. The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is the official document used to show proof of vaccination against polio. This is the only document accepted as proof of vaccination. It is currently available at Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada.
Recommendations
Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel. Tell them where you will be travelling and for how long.
Vaccination
If you are travelling to a country where there is a risk of polio, get vaccinated against polio if you:
- have not received all the recommended doses of polio vaccine according to provincial/territorial vaccination schedule
- do not know your vaccination history
Infants and children under 18 years of age:
- Polio is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule for children in Canada. Also see provincial/territorial immunization information.
- Make sure your child has received all recommended doses before travelling.
Adults (18 years and older):
- Get a booster dose if you have received all the recommended doses of polio vaccine according to provincial/territorial vaccination schedule and have not received a booster dose against polio since your 18th birthday.
- Get the remaining doses before leaving if you have not completed your polio vaccine series.
- Get fully vaccinated against polio if you have not received any vaccines against polio.
Find out where polio is circulating and if you need proof of vaccination
- See Travel advice and advisories by country
- Select your destination and click “Go!”.
- Click the Health tab.
- Click the Vaccines link and scroll down to Polio for detailed information.
- Remember to check the health information for each country you plan to visit.
During your trip, eat and drink safely
Always take precautions with food and water to avoid getting sick.
- Only eat foods that are well cooked and served hot.
- Drink water that has been boiled, disinfected or is in a commercially sealed bottle.
Practise good hand hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently. Use soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds:
- before eating
- before and after handling food
- after using the bathroom
- after changing diapers
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Information for health care professionals
The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) has developed a statement on poliovirus and the international traveller in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) temporary recommendations to provide guidance for health care professionals who are preparing travellers to visit areas with a risk of polio.
On May 29, 2019 the WHO released an update regarding the international spread of polio and temporary recommendations. The situation is reviewed every 3 months.
For the latest updates on WHO temporary recommendations please consult the Global Eradication Initiative.
Registration of Canadians Abroad
Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.Related links
- Poliomyeltis (Polio)
- Travel Advice and Advisories
- Travel Vaccinations
- Eat and drink safely
- Sickness or injury when travelling
- If you get sick after travelling
- Poliomyelitis (Polio): For health professionals
Other Resources
- Global Polio Eradication Initiative
- World Health Organization: Poliomyeltis fact sheet
- World Health Organization: Statement of the Twenty-first IHR Emergency Committee Regarding the International Spread of Poliovirus
- World Health Organization: Disease outbreak news
Report a problem on this pageShare this pageDate modified: 2019-06-05