Global Polio Alert Expanded

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced it had expanded its Alert - Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions global polio travel notice.

As of March 22, 2023, the CDC increased the number of countries listed.

Furthermore, the CDC stated that before traveling to any destination listed, adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose.

Previously, the World Health Organization confirmed the spread of poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Recently, the New York State Department of Health announced that New Yorkers intending to visit Israel and other countries with circulating poliovirus should ensure they are fully immunized against polio.

In the U.S., CDC updated the pediatric and adult polio vaccination schedules in February 2023.

The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is recommended within four weeks of travel. Various IPV-containing vaccines are available at most health clinics and community pharmacies.