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| Do your children have all of their shots? A decrease in polio vaccinations has U.S. Authorities on alert. Visitors from abroad can carry the disease into the states. |
Childhood vaccinations are a part of life in the U.S., but too many toddlers are not getting the polio vaccine. Some parents
erroneously believe that the paralyzing – and sometimes fatal – polio virus was wiped out in the last century, but that's not
true. The polio virus was never completely eradicated worldwide. Travelers from abroad could bring polio into the U.S.,
thus endangering citizens not protected by the vaccine.
What is Poliomyelitis (Polio) and is Polio Contagious?
Polio is a contagious viral disease caused by a germ that lives in the throat and intestines. It is most often spread through
contact with the feces of an infected person. Polio germs can also be spread through food and water. People of any age
who haven't been vaccinated are at risk.
Polio can cause paralysis, the inability to breathe and sometimes death. For many of today's grandparents, the thought of
polio brings up memories of children walking with crutches and metal leg braces. Victims who lost the ability to breathe had
to spend months or even an entire lifetime living in an iron lung.
Polio Vaccinations Drop in the U.S.
A drop in childhood immunizations is cause for concern in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the International Post-Polio Task Force (IPTF) are working on a polio immunization campaign to alert parents and get
all children vaccinated against polio. Children should receive four scheduled doses of the inactivated polio vaccine by
injection. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been replaced by a shot.
Doris Chong, a contributing writer for the magazine, Advance for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants, refers to IPTF
chair Richard Bruno, MD. In her article, "The Return of Polio" (June 2008, p.9), Chong quotes Bruno: "... 20 states had a
reduction of more than 2 percent, while in 10 cities polio vaccination dropped nearly 3 percent." Chong goes on to say,
"Even more disturbing, [Bruno] noted, is that states with the largest drops in polio vaccination are on the borders with
Mexico and Canada."
erroneously believe that the paralyzing – and sometimes fatal – polio virus was wiped out in the last century, but that's not
true. The polio virus was never completely eradicated worldwide. Travelers from abroad could bring polio into the U.S.,
thus endangering citizens not protected by the vaccine.
What is Poliomyelitis (Polio) and is Polio Contagious?
Polio is a contagious viral disease caused by a germ that lives in the throat and intestines. It is most often spread through
contact with the feces of an infected person. Polio germs can also be spread through food and water. People of any age
who haven't been vaccinated are at risk.
Polio can cause paralysis, the inability to breathe and sometimes death. For many of today's grandparents, the thought of
polio brings up memories of children walking with crutches and metal leg braces. Victims who lost the ability to breathe had
to spend months or even an entire lifetime living in an iron lung.
Polio Vaccinations Drop in the U.S.
A drop in childhood immunizations is cause for concern in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the International Post-Polio Task Force (IPTF) are working on a polio immunization campaign to alert parents and get
all children vaccinated against polio. Children should receive four scheduled doses of the inactivated polio vaccine by
injection. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been replaced by a shot.
Doris Chong, a contributing writer for the magazine, Advance for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants, refers to IPTF
chair Richard Bruno, MD. In her article, "The Return of Polio" (June 2008, p.9), Chong quotes Bruno: "... 20 states had a
reduction of more than 2 percent, while in 10 cities polio vaccination dropped nearly 3 percent." Chong goes on to say,
"Even more disturbing, [Bruno] noted, is that states with the largest drops in polio vaccination are on the borders with
Mexico and Canada."
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| Child Immunizations Decline Could Put U.S. Kids at Risk for Polio |
How Many Children are Not Vaccinated against Polio?
In Chong's article, Bruno states that more than 1 million toddlers are not vaccinated. Not
all adults have been vaccinated because they believe they're safe living in the United
States. Could an infected traveler from outside the country carry the germ into the U.S.?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), and their website page titled,
"Poliomyelitis" (Staff, 2010), the information states, "As long as a single child remains
infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. Between 2003 and 2005,
25 previously polio-free countries were re-infected due to imports of the virus."
Who Should Not Get the Polio Vaccine Shots?
Is there anyone who should not get the polio vaccine shots? Yes. In rare cases, a person
may have a reaction to the vaccine. As with any adverse reaction to a new medication, a
parent should call 911 if the child develops severe symptoms such as hives, burning skin,
trouble breathing, or goes into shock.
On the website Family Doctor, the page titled, "Polio Vaccine" (no author, 2010), the
information states, "Your child should not get the polio shots if he or she is allergic to
these medicines: neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin B." And, "If your child has any
reaction after getting the polio vaccine, call your doctor as soon as possible."
In Chong's article, Bruno states that more than 1 million toddlers are not vaccinated. Not
all adults have been vaccinated because they believe they're safe living in the United
States. Could an infected traveler from outside the country carry the germ into the U.S.?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), and their website page titled,
"Poliomyelitis" (Staff, 2010), the information states, "As long as a single child remains
infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. Between 2003 and 2005,
25 previously polio-free countries were re-infected due to imports of the virus."
Who Should Not Get the Polio Vaccine Shots?
Is there anyone who should not get the polio vaccine shots? Yes. In rare cases, a person
may have a reaction to the vaccine. As with any adverse reaction to a new medication, a
parent should call 911 if the child develops severe symptoms such as hives, burning skin,
trouble breathing, or goes into shock.
On the website Family Doctor, the page titled, "Polio Vaccine" (no author, 2010), the
information states, "Your child should not get the polio shots if he or she is allergic to
these medicines: neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin B." And, "If your child has any
reaction after getting the polio vaccine, call your doctor as soon as possible."
Steps for Preventing Polio
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can be prevented. There is no cure
for polio, but the vaccine can protect a child for life. What else can parents
do to protect a child against polio?
Travel to and from other countries has become commonplace in these
modern times. Visitors arriving in the United States from countries where
polio has never been under control have become a target of concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and the International Post-Polio Task
Force want parents and everyone else to know that polio still exists. The
CDC website provides a page titled, "Update on the Global Status of Polio"
and provides a list of countries for travelers who may need a polio booster
shot if they are not up to date on their polio vaccinations.
Children need the required vaccination shots against polio and other
childhood diseases. Though many illnesses have been wiped out in the U.S.,
there is still the slightest risk that a deadly infection could return. Don't take
a chance and risk your child's life. ~
Polio is a highly infectious disease that can be prevented. There is no cure
for polio, but the vaccine can protect a child for life. What else can parents
do to protect a child against polio?
- Make sure the child gets the full schedule of polio vaccine shots along
with his other childhood vaccinations, even if he or she is home-
schooled. - Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly, especially after going
to the bathroom and before eating. - Instruct children not to share eating utensils or drinking cups.
Travel to and from other countries has become commonplace in these
modern times. Visitors arriving in the United States from countries where
polio has never been under control have become a target of concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and the International Post-Polio Task
Force want parents and everyone else to know that polio still exists. The
CDC website provides a page titled, "Update on the Global Status of Polio"
and provides a list of countries for travelers who may need a polio booster
shot if they are not up to date on their polio vaccinations.
Children need the required vaccination shots against polio and other
childhood diseases. Though many illnesses have been wiped out in the U.S.,
there is still the slightest risk that a deadly infection could return. Don't take
a chance and risk your child's life. ~
Photo Permission from website Global
Polio Eradication Initiative: These
photos can be used in any documents,
publications or presentations on polio
or polio eradication. Except where
otherwise noted, please credit WHO
[World Health Organization].
Polio Eradication Initiative: These
photos can be used in any documents,
publications or presentations on polio
or polio eradication. Except where
otherwise noted, please credit WHO
[World Health Organization].
Polio Virus Could Once Again be a Threat
January 22, 2012