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Parents and caregivers are being urged to ensure their children’s vaccines are up to date after reports of Polio being found in London sewage.
While no cases of Polio have been reported since 1984, a Polio vaccine booster programme is now underway in London for children aged nine and under because the city’s uptake rate is lower than the global standard of 95%.
Jersey's polio vaccine uptake has remained high and above the WHO's target of 95% since 2008. In 2020, 98% of one-year-olds had received the modern dead virus polio vaccine.
The polio vaccine is given alongside routine immunisations at eight, 12, and 16 weeks old, with boosters at three years and four months, and 13 or 14 years old.
Some get flu-like symptoms and a very small number may suffer muscle paralysis, which usually starts in the legs.
However, most people who get polio do not show symptoms.
They therefore sometimes don't have they are infected.
"Although the threat of Polio remains very low, it is vital that children are vaccinated against the virus. I urge all parents to check their children's vaccination status," Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat MBE, said.
"Those that are unsure of their child's vaccination status, or who know that they have not had the polio vaccine, should contact their GP or childhealthadmin@health.gov.je by email or by telephone 443741.
"Vaccination remains the best way to prevent infection and protect yourselves and others."
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