Key points
- Polio, also called poliomyelitis, has been eliminated from most of the world, but it still occurs in some countries.
- Some travelers may be eligible for a one-time booster vaccine before traveling.
- Check the recommendations and make sure you and your family, including children, are fully vaccinated before traveling internationally.
Introduction
People who plan to travel internationally should make sure they are fully vaccinated against polio before departure.
When visiting a country where there is increased risk of exposure to poliovirus, the government of that country may require you to show proof of polio vaccination on your yellow International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) when departing that country.
Recommendations
Adults
Adults who are unvaccinated against polio should complete a primary vaccination series of 3 doses:
- The first dose at any time.
- The second dose 1 to 2 months later.
- A third dose 6 to 12 months after the second dose.
If an adult cannot complete the above series before traveling, an accelerated schedule (3 doses of IPV administered at least 4 weeks apart) is recommended.
Adults who are incompletely vaccinated (got only 1 or 2 doses of polio vaccine in the past) should get the remaining 1 or 2 doses of IPV (administered at least 4 weeks apart) before departure.
Adults who are fully vaccinated and who plan to travel to a country where there is an increased risk of exposure to poliovirus, may receive a one-time booster dose of IPV.
Talk to your healthcare provider for more information or visit:
Children
CDC recommends that all infants and children in the United States are vaccinated against polio with 4 doses of IPV given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years.
Complete vaccine series before traveling
If a child cannot complete the routine series before departure, an accelerated schedule is recommended as follows:
- First dose at age 6 weeks or older.
- A second dose 4 or more weeks after the first dose.
- A third dose 4 or more weeks after the second dose.
- A fourth dose 6 or more months after the third dose.
If the accelerated schedule cannot be completed before leaving, the remaining doses should be given in the visited country, or upon return home, at the intervals recommended in the accelerated schedule.
In addition, children completing the accelerated schedule should still receive a dose of IPV at 4 years old or older, as long as it has been at least 6 months after the previous dose.