While it hasn't been much of a problem in the U.S. for several decades, polio is making a comeback everywhere. Small pox is still the only disease that has been completely eradicated by vaccines. We came close with polio several times in recent years but now it is spinning out of control again. Unfortunately, conflict and distrust in the Middle East and Africa kept the virus alive by slowing vaccine campaigns.
Polio vaccine has been available since 1955 but anti-vaccine sentiment seems to have taken hold everywhere, diminishing the ability of healthcare providers to fight the disease.
Most recently, the CDC has put out a travel advisory warning people about polio outbreaks occurring all over the world and has urged people to get a polio shot before going to many countries--even if you got the full polio series as a child.
Specifically, in the following countries, the CDC recommends adults get a polio booster before traveling to any of the countries with active, circulating polio. They expect that this one-time booster will create life-long immunity and future boosters won't be needed.
Asia: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Isreal, Pakistan, Yemen
Europe: Ukraine, United Kingdom
Africa: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt (healthcare facilities, refugee camps, and humanitarian aid settings only), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda
Away Clinic offers polio vaccines at convenient clinics in Scottsdale, Arizona and Chandler, Arizona.
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