For the past 32 years South Africa has not had a single case of polio – a once-feared disease that has now practically been eradicated thanks to immunisations. Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus and most often affects children younger than 5 years of age.
The eradication of polio in most countries in the world has been due to an ongoing and intensive immunisation campaign, and the absence of the disease in a developing country such as South Africa for more than three decades is a testament to the success of child immunisation.
Most people infected with the poliovirus will not experience any symptoms, and around 25% of people infected will experience flu-like symptoms. However, around 1 in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralysed, 5-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilised.
Polio vaccines are administered at all government facilities according to the Child Immunisation schedule. The schedule is documented in the Road to Health booklet each child receives at birth. People will become paralysed from the virus, which leads to permanent disability and can cause death. Once someone is infected with polio there is no cure. Vaccines are the only way to prevent and stop the disease from spreading.
How are polio vaccines administered?
Babies receive their first polio vaccination at birth through drops given orally. At six weeks old babies receive their second dose of drops. It protects the baby from a range of childhood diseases, including polio. The second and third dose of the Hexavalent vaccine is administered at 10 and 14 weeks, respectively.
Can a baby or young child who missed vaccinations for polio receive a catch-up vaccine?
Usually, children over the age of 6 months do not receive the polio drops if they had missed the immunisation at birth and/or 6 weeks of age. But their immunisation against polio can be brought up to date with the Hexavalent vaccine and would offer sufficient protection against the disease.
Check your child’s Road-to-Health booklet and make sure all immunisations, including the polio-vaccine, are up to date.
Do Adults need a polio booster?
If you have already been fully vaccinated against polio you probably do not need a booster shot. If you have never been vaccinated or missed a dose it is recommended that you discuss this with a health worker at any of our local clinics or other health facilities and request assistance for immunisation.
If polio has been eradicated from South Africa for 32 years, why do we have to continue with immunisations against it?
It is because of the extensive immunisation programme against polio that the disease has not had any active cases in our country. Continuing immunisations against it ensures polio continues to be eradicated and our children remains polio-free.
“We encourage all moms and caregivers to bring their young children to the clinic for immunisation,” says Sr Roenell Balie of the Western Cape Department of Health in the Cape Winelands. “Immunisations help children grow and avoid getting severely ill. We want to help you to keep your child healthy. Bring them to the clinic for these free services.”
In recent years, according to the United Nations Foundation, polio has been detected in several countries, including Malawi, Mozambique and Israel.
Every country remains at risk of a polio resurgence until the virus has been eradicated everywhere.
