(VIS) ‘What is polio?’
Doctor Archana Koirala: Polio is a contagious viral infection that can affect the heart and cause loss of movement in the limbs. Polio spreads through contact from saliva and faeces of infected people.
(VIS) ‘What happens if my child gets polio?’
Doctor Koirala: Your child may experience flu-like symptoms including fever, tiredness, headache, vomiting, and a sore throat. In less than one in every 100 people, it can also cause paralysis of the muscles and in some of these cases, leads to death. Most people experience no symptoms but can still spread the infection to others.
(VIS) ‘What vaccine will protect my child?’
Doctor Koirala: Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from the disease. Polio vaccines in Australia are usually combination vaccines that also protect against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and hepatitis B. This means your child will be protected against more diseases with fewer injections. This also means less pain and stress for your child. Under the National Immunisation Program, children should receive the free vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 4 years of age for best possible protection.
(VIS) 'How does the vaccine work?’
Doctor Koirala: The vaccine provides immunity to polio to help prevent your child from getting the disease. It contains an inactive and safe form of polio and trains your child's immune system to recognise and protect against the infection. Receiving all the childhood doses of the vaccine provides nearly 100% protection against polio. Vaccination reduces your child's chances of getting polio, and if they do get it, they have less risk of serious illness and hospitalisation.
(VIS) ‘What are the common reactions or side effects?’
Doctor Koirala: Your child may experience mild reactions to the vaccine, which usually disappear within a few days. Common reactions include redness, swelling, and soreness at the injection site, a mild fever and tiredness.
(VIS) ‘What impact has vaccination had on the prevalence of the disease?’
Doctor Koirala: Polio was once a widespread disease that affected many people. Now because of routine vaccination, polio is rare in Australia. Australia was declared polio free in 2000. It is still important to vaccinate so that the disease does not spread from countries that still have cases of polio.
(VIS) ‘Where to find more information’
(VIS) ‘Always talk to your health professional if you have any questions about childhood vaccinations. For more information, visit Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation at skai.org.au/childhood’
Learn from Dr Archana Koirala who shares how you can protect your child from polio with free vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program.