Polio: For Travelers
- Polio, or poliomyelitis, has been eliminated from most of the world. But it still occurs in some countries.
- Travelers to countries where there is an increased risk of exposure to poliovirus may receive a one-time booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) before traveling.
People who plan to travel internationally should make sure they are fully vaccinated against polio before departure. When visiting one of the countries where there is an increased risk of exposure to poliovirus, you may be required by the government of that country to show proof of polio vaccination on your yellow International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) when departing that country.
Vaccination for International Travelers
CDC recommends that all infants and children in the United States are vaccinated against polio with four doses of IPV given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years. Infants and children traveling to countries where the risk of getting polio is greater should complete the routine series before departure.
If a child cannot complete the routine series before departure, an accelerated schedule is recommended as follows:
- First dose at age 6 weeks or older
- A second dose 4 or more weeks after the first dose
- A third dose 4 or more weeks after the second dose
- A fourth dose 6 or more months after the third dose
If the accelerated schedule cannot be completed before leaving, the remaining doses should be given in the visited country, or upon return home, at the intervals recommended in the accelerated schedule.
In addition, children completing the accelerated schedule should still receive a dose of IPV at 4 years old or older, as long as it has been at least 6 months after the previous dose.
Adults who are unvaccinated against polio should complete a primary vaccination series of three doses:
- The first dose at any time
- The second dose 1 to 2 months later
- A third dose 6 to 12 months after the second dose
If an adult cannot complete the above series before traveling, an accelerated schedule (three doses of IPV administered at least 4 weeks apart) is recommended.
Adults who are incompletely vaccinated (got only one or two doses of polio vaccine in the past) should get the remaining one or two doses of IPV (administered at least 4 weeks apart) before departure.
Adults who are fully vaccinated and who plan to travel to a country where there is an increased risk of exposure to poliovirus, may receive a one-time booster dose of IPV.
For more information on polio vaccine recommendations for travel, talk your healthcare provider or visit Travelers’ Health: Poliomyelitis.
Visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health Notices site to see the most current information about polio around the world and what special steps you need to take to protect yourself or a loved one from polio while traveling.
