As further evidence of poliovirus has been detected in London sewage, the government has laid out plans to offer all children aged one to nine years old a booster dose of polio vaccine.
Poliovirus had been detected in sewage in both north and east London.
The strategy has been put in place by government to protect children from any risk of paralysis and reduce the chance of spreading the virus.
The rollout will begin in areas of London where the virus has been found and will then be "rapidly" pushed out to all other London boroughs.
But how long does the vaccine last and can adults still catch poliovirus?
How long does the polio vaccine last?
According to the NHS, to be fully protected against poliovirus you need the full five vaccines.
Three doses are normally given to children at eight, 12 and 16 weeks old as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
And again at three years old as part of the 4-in-1 (pre school booster) vaccine.
Then once more at 14 years old as part of the 3-in-1 (teenage booster) vaccine.
Despite being fully covered, if you're travelling to a country with a high risk of polio, you may need a polio booster vaccination before you travel.
If it has been over 10 years since your last routine polio dose, a further booster could be taken.
Anyone who is unsure as to what vaccines they have received can check with their GP to make sure they're covered.
Upon realising you may not be fully protected against poliovirus, anyone is free to book a vaccine dose with the GP.
You can have a polio vaccination at any point if you've never had one before, even if you're not travelling to a country with a risk of getting polio.
Is poliovirus dangerous for adults?
Polio can affect people at any age.
The most severe side effect of polio - aside from death - is becoming permanently paralysed, however, according to the government's release: "Nationally the overall risk of paralytic polio is considered low because most people are protected from this by vaccination."
Where has the poliovirus been detected?
The poliovirus has been detected in London. The government have issued a list of boroughs where the virus has been found in sewage:
- Barnet
- Brent
- Camden
- Enfield
- Hackney
- Haringey
- Islington
- Waltham Forest
Symptoms of polio
Most people who get polio do not have symptoms.
Some people get mild, flu-like symptoms, such as:
- a high temperature
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- headaches
- being sick (vomiting)
- a stiff neck
- muscle pain
These symptoms usually last up to 10 days.
