Children in London will be offered a booster dose of the polio vaccine after more poliovirus was detected in sewage samples.
The NHS says there are signs the virus may be spreading in London and the number of children who are vaccinated is lower than it should be in the capital.
Because of this, an additional dose is being offered to boost immunity in children, helping to protect them and reduce the risk of the virus continuing to spread.
After type 2 poliovirus was found at the Beckton sewage treatment works a few months ago, at least one positive sample has been identified in parts of eight other London boroughs, the government says.
Polio is a serious disease, caused by the poliovirus, which can cause paralysis.
UK Health Security Agency consultant epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba said: "No cases of polio have been reported and for the majority of the population, who are fully vaccinated, the risk is low.
"But we know the areas in London where the poliovirus is being transmitted have some of the lowest vaccination rates.
"This is why the virus is spreading in these communities and puts those residents not fully vaccinated at greater risk."
Fortunately, polio is very rare.
It is only found in a few countries and there have been no confirmed cases of paralysis caused by polio caught in the UK since 1984.
So, despite some poliovirus being found in London sewage recently, the risk of getting it in the UK is considered low – but the chance of getting ill from polio is higher if you're not fully vaccinated.
Dr Saliba added: "It is vital parents ensure their children are fully vaccinated for their age.
"It will ensure a high level of protection from paralysis and may also help stop the virus spreading further."
What age can children get the polio vaccine?
The government says a dose of the polio vaccine will be available to all children in London aged one to nine.
For some of those children, this may be an extra dose – a booster jab – on top of their routine vaccinations.
But for others, it might bring them up to date with their vaccination schedule.
You will be contacted by the NHS about booking an appointment, if your child is eligible, and should take up the offer as soon as possible.
However, no matter where you live in the UK, the polio vaccine is part of the NHS routine vaccination schedule for children.
The polio vaccine is given to children at:
- Eight, 12 and 16 weeks old, as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects babies from six serious childhood conditions
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3 years and 4 months old, as part of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster
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14 years old as part of the 3-in-1 teenage booster
Children need to receive all five of these doses to be fully vaccinated against polio.
If you're not sure whether your child is up to date with their jabs, you can contact your GP surgery to find out.
You can check their personal child health record (or "red book").
Vaccinations are free on the NHS and can be booked with your GP surgery.
