CHILD

Parents urged to attend polio 'catch-up' clinics to vaccinate their child after cases rise

Last modified on Friday 24 March 2023

Parents in London who have missed their child's polio vaccination are urged to attend catch-up clinics to reduce the amount of cases

London parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against polio in a series of catch-up clinics, as cases rise.

An emergency vaccination-booster campaign was launched in London last summer after poliovirus traces were found in north and east London sewage in early 2022.

The UK Health Security Agency announced polio was increasing for the first time in decades across Britain, while the NHS warned Brits to stay alert.

However, there are lower vaccination uptake rates throughout London, thought to be leading to the virus circulation. Now, all London primary-school pupils not fully vaccinated are being urged to attend the catch-up jabs after Easter.

Lower uptakes of vaccinations in London

Despite polio being part of the UK's routine childhood vaccination schedule, not all parents choose to get their children protected against it.

As it stands, 87.6% of children in London received all their polio vaccinations by the time they turn 1, compared to 92.1% in England as a whole, according to the government website.

Meanwhile, only 69.9% of kids aged 5 get the pre-school booster in London, compared to 83.4% in England.

'Even a single case of paralysis from polio would be a tragedy'

Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, Dr Vanessa Saliba, said: 'While there are early signs of reduced spread of the poliovirus in London, we need to continue to improve uptake of childhood vaccines in all communities.

'Until we reach every last child, we cannot be sure that we will not see a case of paralysis. Even a single case of paralysis from polio would be a tragedy as it is completely preventable.

'Only by improving vaccination coverage across all communities can we ensure resilience against future disease threats.'

'We urge parents to check their child's red book'

Chief Nurse from NHS in London, Jane Clegg, also explained: 'The risk to children who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against polio continues to be a focus for the NHS in London, so they have protection against serious illness.

'We urge all parents in London to check their child’s red book or contact their GP practice to get up to date with their polio vaccination schedule.

'To make this easier for families, from the summer term, polio vaccination will be offered through primary school and community clinics for 1 to 11 year olds.'

The vaccination schedule is normally:

  • three doses before the age of one
  • a booster at three
  • another booster at 14

What is polio?

The disease, common in the UK in the 1950s, was eliminated by 2003. But poliovirus traces were found in north and east London sewage in early 2022.

The NHS website describes polio as a 'serious infection' that is now 'very rare' due to the vaccination programme. Although most sufferers of polio do not get symptoms, these can include:

  • a high temperature
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • headaches
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • a stiff neck
  • muscle pain

Symptoms usually continue for up to 10 days, and in rare cases the virus can cause more serious symptoms affecting the nerves and brain, like paralysis which can be life threatening.

Who will get the invited to the catch-up clinics?

During the summer term, London schools and clinics will offer the polio jabs to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated kids aged between 1 and 11, as well as other routine childhood vaccines including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Last August, we reported that an urgent polio booster was being offered to one million UK children – and you can find out more information here ...

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