Immunisations: polio

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is an acute illness brought on when one of three types of polio virus (1, 2, and 3) invades the gastro-intestinal tract. The virus has an affinity for nervous tissue, and can cause paralysis if it reaches the central nervous system. Routine immunisation was introduced in 1956 (see Health Scotland for specific vaccines and immunisation timetable).

At a Scotland level, current quarterly uptakes at 12 and 24 months (period ending 30 June 2006) for Polio stand at 96.4% and 97.7% respectively.

Direct links to the relevant tables and charts, on the Child Health section of the ISD website, are provided below

• Childhood immunisation uptake rates for Polio: up to 31st December 2006 for Scotland and by Health Board
• Childhood immunisation quarterly uptake rates and uptake rates by calendar year (January to December 2006) by Community Health Partnership 
• Time trends for Scotland and NHS Board

Information on the incidence of Polio is available from the HPS website.