Dear Parent/Carer,
The letter below is from Haringey Public Health for your information:
Directorate: Adults and Health
Team: Public Health
Dr Will Maimaris Director of Public Health
Eveleen Riordan Assistant Director for Schools and Learning
Date: September 2022
POLIO VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN AGED ONE TO NINE YEARS
Dear parents and carers,
As some of you may have seen in the news, traces of polio virus have been detected in sewage samples in London. The overall risk to the public from polio remains low. However, given that the
sewage findings suggest that polio may be spreading in the community, NHS England has issued new guidance to give children extra protection from poliovirus and to limit the spread. Therefore, all children aged 1 to 9 in London are being offered a vaccination dose against polio. For some children this will be an additional (booster) dose of the vaccine, while some will receive a vaccination to bring them up to date with their routine childhood vaccination schedule. I am writing to let you know of this new guidance and to answer some of the questions you may have about polio.
What is Polio?
Polio is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Polio is rare, and there have been no confirmed cases of polio or polio-like symptoms identified in the UK at present.
Why is it important to get my child vaccinated?
In a small proportion of individuals, polio can be a very serious condition, causing nerve damage and even paralysis. Those at highest risk of serious disease are young children and unvaccinated people. Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from polio. The vaccine has been safely used in millions of children and provides a very high level of protection against polio.
Who should get vaccinated?
All children in London aged 1 to 9 should have a dose of polio vaccine now. For some children this may be an extra dose of polio vaccine on top of their routine vaccinations. In other children it may just bring them up to date. You can check whether your child is up to date with their vaccinations by looking at their red book.
Where can I get my child vaccinated?
You will be contacted by the NHS or your local GP to book a vaccination appointment for your child. There is also a walk-in service available for children aged 6-9 years who are up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations. This is held at Hornsey Central Vaccination Centre, 151 Park Road, N8 8JD, which is open seven days a week, from 3pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
You can find more information about polio and the vaccination programme at:
https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/polio-clinics
Please click the link below to be directed to the website showing local clinics and opening times:
https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/news/polio-walk-in-vaccinations-for-6-9-year-olds/
Thank you for your ongoing efforts in protecting our schools, nurseries and the wider community.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr Will Maimaris Eveleen Riordan
Director of Public Health Assistant Director, Schools and Learning
