Liverpool could be at risk of an outbreak of polio after the virus was discovered in London.
Cllr Frazer Lake, cabinet member for social care and health, told a committee of councillors that lower vaccination rates in the city “do expose us” to the threat of an outbreak of the virus. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detected the poliovirus in sewage samples in London earlier this month and it is likely there has been some spread between closely-linked people.
They are now investigating to establish if the virus is spreading to others in the community. While no cases have been identified in Liverpool, Cllr Lake warned that he could not rule it out.
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He said: “Just to clarify there are currently no cases that have been detected in Liverpool. Generally speaking, the risk to the general public is extremely low but our lower rates of uptake for polio vaccines do expose us to a threat of a local outbreak.
“On that basis, I want to take the opportunity to advise everybody to ensure you and your families are all vaccinated to protect everyone in the city. Especially during a pandemic, some children and young people may have missed out on getting vaccinated, so if that’s the case or if there’s any doubt, make contact with your GP to get that checked and get yourself booked in.”
The last case of wild polio contracted in the UK was confirmed in 1984. The UK was declared polio-free in 2003.
Following the discovery in London last week, Liverpool Council urged parents to check their Red Book to check that their young children are up to date with their polio vaccinations. Parents should contact their GP surgery to book a vaccination, if they aren’t fully up to date.
According to the local authority, uptake of the baby immunisations has always been very high in Liverpool, but due to the covid-19 pandemic, uptake of the routine 6-in-1 vaccine for babies fell to 88% in 2020/21, down 7% from 2017/18, and lower than the national average of 92%. Addressing the committee last night, Prof Matt Ashton, Liverpool director of public health, said: “If you’ve got low levels of vaccine uptake, there’s potential for an outbreak, which is happening.
“Traditionally we’ve had a really good uptake but over the last few years, due to the disruption effect of the pandemic, that uptake has fallen. We’re taking this as an opportunity to remind people of the importance of 6-in-1 vaccinations and all childhood immunisations.”
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