POLIO FAQ's

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What is polio?

Polio is a serious disease caused by the poliovirus that can cause permanent paralysis or even death. The only effective way to protect yourself against polio is to get immunized. There is no cure for polio.

What are the symptoms of polio?

75% who are infected will not experience any symptoms but can still spread the disease to others.

Approximately 25% will experience flu-like symptoms such as:

Fever
Headache
Nausea
Fatigue
Stomach pain

A small amount of people will experience the most severe symptoms of polio such as:

Meningitis
Severe muscle pains
Stiffness in the neck and back
Paralysis
Death

Is polio curable?

There is no cure for polio. The only protection is immunization.

Is polio contagious?

Yes. Polio is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in an unimmunized population.

How is polio spread?

The main way polio is spread is through contact with the fecal matter of an infected person. It can also be spread through contact with droplets from the sneeze or cough of an infected person, or via contact with a contaminated body of water.

How can I protect myself and my family from polio?

The only effective protection from polio is immunization. Everyone is encouraged to get immunized.

Who is most at risk of polio

Anyone not fully immunized - including children, adults, and pregnant women
Infants
Immunocompromised Individuals
Children under 2 who have not completed their immunization schedule

Is polio immunization safe?

Yes. Polio immunization is not new. It has been in use for almost 70 years and is proven to be very effective. The use of immunization has almost completely eradicated polio worldwide.

What is the polio immunization process? How many doses do I need?

Unimmunized adults and children who did not receive their routine shots in the past, should receive 3 doses of the immunization, with one dose each at:

Immediately
4-8 weeks after the first dose
6-12 months after the second dose

If I have been fully immunized is a booster recommended?

People who have been fully immunized but will have contact with cases due to spread in their community or other potential exposures should consider a booster.

What if I am unsure if I have been immunized?

People who do not know if they have been immunized should contact their healthcare provider to determine their immunization status. If it still cannot be determined a booster should be considered.

What should I do if I suspect that I have polio?

Stay at home and away from other people, and call your healthcare provider.

What is post polio syndrome?

Post-polio syndrome is a condition that can affect polio survivors about 15 to 40 years after recovery from polio.

Symptoms can include:

Slow progressive muscle weakness
Fatigue
Muscle atrophy
Loss of muscle function
Pain from joint degeneration and increasing skeletal deformities such as curvature of the spine (scoliosis)

What is the routine childhood immunization process?

The routine childhood immunization schedule is as follows:

2 months old
4 months old
6 through 18 months old
4 through 6 years old

During an outbreak an accelerated routine childhood immunization schedule is recommended as follows:

1 dose at age 6 weeks or older
a second dose 4 or more weeks after the first dose
a third dose 4 or more weeks after the second dose
a fourth dose 6 or more months after the third dose

What if I have not received all of the recommended doses?

Adults who have had 1 or 2 doses of polio vaccine in the past should get the remaining 1 or 2 doses. It does not matter how long it has been since the earlier dose(s)

Where can I get immunized?

Please call before arrival:

Rockland County Department Of Health

Immunization Clinic

50 Sanatorium Road, Building A, 2nd Floor

Pomona, NY 10970

Tel: 845-238-1956

Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30am - 11:00am

by appointment only: https://on.ny.gov/3R2Xo2v

Good Samaritan Hospital

257 Lafayette Ave, Suffern, NY 10901

Tel: 845-368-5000