US to citizens in SEA: Get anti-polio shots

MANILA, Philippines — With the outbreak of polio in the Philippines, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised all its citizens based in or traveling to Southeast Asian countries to be fully vaccinated against the disease.

The US embassy in Manila issued the advice after health officials reported a polio outbreak in the Philippines.

“Before traveling to the Philippines, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of the vaccine,” the embassy said in its health alert.

The CDC said the outbreak in the Philippines is caused by the vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV), which indicates that polio vaccine coverage in the country is low.

“Even if you were vaccinated as a child or have been sick with polio before, you may need a booster dose to make sure you are fully protected,” the CDC said. 

“If you will be in the Philippines for more than four weeks, the Philippine government may require you to show proof of polio vaccination before you leave the country,” it added. 

To meet this requirement, the CDC advised travelers to get the vaccine between four weeks and 12 months before leaving the country or talk to the doctor about whether this requirement applies to them.

For travelers going to countries with circulating VDPV and who have completed their routine polio vaccine series but have not receive an adult booster dose, the CDC recommends administering a single lifetime inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) booster dose.

“Travelers who will be in the Philippines for more than four weeks may need an additional booster if they received their most recent dose of polio vaccine (completion of routine series or adult booster) more than 12 months before their date of departure from the country of origin,” the CDC said.

Meanwhile, the DOH advised foreigners and balikbayans planning to stay in the country for at least four weeks to get polio vaccine.

“Travelers including foreign nationals and returning Filipinos of all ages, who are planning to stay in the Philippines for four weeks or more and have not received any polio vaccination in the last 12 months, are encouraged to have themselves immunized with a single dose of IPV not later than four weeks before their scheduled travel to the Philippines,” the DOH said.

It advised departing overseas Filipino workers to check if their countries of destination are going to require vaccination certificates.

It clarified there is no travel restriction to the Philippines due to polio.

The International Health Regulations merely issued an advisory urging those traveling in and out of the country to have themselves immunized against polio, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said.

Travelers whose destinations require immunization can receive a dose of IPV before departure and secure an International Certificate of Vaccination from the Bureau of Quarantine.

Those with urgent travel schedule within four weeks are recommended to receive a single dose of IPV at least before departure as this will still provide added protection, particularly for frequent travelers.

The DOH will conduct a synchronized polio vaccination nationwide to prevent the spread of the disease.

Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease that affects the nervous system. Proper hand washing can help prevent the spread of the virus.

Because the virus lives in the feces of an infected person, people infected with the disease can spread it to others when they do not wash their hands properly after defecating.   

Most people with polio do not feel sick. Some have only minor symptoms such as fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the neck and back and pain in the arms and legs. – With Sheila Crisostomo