Polio is an infection that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord.
What is polio?
Polio is a disease that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord. Although the polio vaccine has gotten rid of (eliminated) polio disease in most countries, it still can be found in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, and can be brought to other countries by infected people traveling on planes.
How is polio spread?
Polio is spread by contact with the bowel movements (stool) of an infected person. This can happen from eating food or drinking water contaminated with the stool of an infected person.
What are the symptoms of polio?
Most people infected with polio show no symptoms. If symptoms happen they can include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Neck and back stiffness
- Muscle weakness and pain
What are the risks of polio disease?
- Paralysis of arms and legs (1 in 200)
- Death
How can I prevent getting polio?
The best way to not get polio is to get immunized. The polio vaccine is safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease. When you get immunized you help protect others as well. There is no cure for polio, so preventing the disease is very important.
Who should get the polio vaccine?
The polio vaccine is given free (publicly funded) as part of the B.C. routine immunization schedule. The vaccine is often combined with other vaccines to give protection against several diseases in one shot. Adults at increased risk for polio are also eligible for a free vaccine. Learn more about who should get the polio vaccine.
Get immunized against polio by making an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist (for those 5 years and older) or Public Health. If you are travelling to a country where the polio virus is circulating, talk to your doctor or visit a travel clinic about getting vaccinated.
Booking an immunization appointment with Public Health
Residents of Fraser East (Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope), call 604-702-4906
Residents in any other area of Fraser Health, call 604-476-7087
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Note: When making an appointment with Public Health, you will be offered a text message reminder through the ImmunizeBC text message reminder system.
Resources
For more information about polio and the polio vaccine, go to:
- Immunize Canada: Diseases and vaccines
Learn more about diseases that can be prevented by routine immunizations. - ImmunizeBC: Polio
Learn more about polio. - HealthLink BC: Polio vaccine
Polio vaccine information available in English, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese. - B.C. Centre for Disease Control: Polio (poliomyelitis)
Information for the general public and health professionals on polio. - Caring for Kids: 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine
Information for parents from Canada’s paediatricians. - I Boost Immunity
Earn a vaccine for someone in need by answering a quiz. - Kids Boost Immunity
Curated lessons with interactive quizzes that mirror your province's science, health and social studies curriculum – all for free. For every quiz that students complete, they will earn a vaccine for someone in need.