Polio vaccine while traveling..

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I am in Pakistan with my two kids (3 year and 8 months) they are both vaccinated in the US as per schedule. The polio vaccine people came and I refused to give them drops, they reported us to higher authority n blah blah.. Long story short, I have been told that since my stay in Pakistan is more than 30 days either I will need to vaccinate my kids at the airport or pay a hefty fine.

I have their up to date immunization rectord with me with three doses of IPV for both of them.

Any experience?

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Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

Gemini no one checks at the air port. We weren't asked at all. It will be fine. We got our daughter the drops as well since they dnt have a side effect but we're never asked so waste of time really

3

Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

well why not just get the drops?

my 8 month old baby visited NY last month, we just take him to EDO health office for drops. tian tian fish.

4

Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

we were not asked/hassled last year traveling to or back from lahore pakistan.

GTG if you look at CDC's recommendations ..... it says if you are traveling to areas where polio cases are occuring [pk is one such country) ... adults should get another dose of IPV or OPA .... just as a percaution ... even if they've completed their course and likely have lifelong immunity.

below is a quote from CDC's current recommendations.

***"updated july 25, 2014

Infants and Children

*In the United States, all infants and children should receive 4 doses of IPV at ages 2, 4, and 6–18 months and 4–6 years. The final dose should be administered at age ≥4 years, regardless of the number of previous doses, and should be given ≥6 months after the previous dose. A fourth dose in the routine IPV series is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age ≥4 years and ≥6 months after the previous dose. If the routine series cannot be administered within the recommended intervals before protection is needed, the following alternatives are recommended:
*

[ul]
[li]The first dose should be given to infants ≥6 weeks old.[/li]
[li]The second and third doses should be administered ≥4 weeks after the previous doses.[/li]
[li]The minimum interval between the third and fourth doses is 6 months.[/li]
[/ul]
If the age-appropriate series is not completed before departure, the remaining IPV doses to complete a full series should be administered when feasible, at the intervals recommended above, if the child remains at increased risk for poliovirus exposure.
*
**Adults

*Adults who are traveling to areas where poliomyelitis cases are still occurring and who are unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or whose vaccination status is unknown should receive a series of 3 doses: 2 doses of IPV administered at an interval of 4–8 weeks; a third dose should be administered 6–12 months after the second. If 3 doses of IPV cannot be administered within the recommended intervals before protection is needed, the following alternatives are recommended:
*

[ul]
[li]If >8 weeks is available before protection is needed, 3 doses of IPV should be administered ≥4 weeks apart.[/li]
[li]If <8 weeks but >4 weeks is available before protection is needed, 2 doses of IPV should be administered ≥4 weeks apart.[/li]
[li]If <4 weeks is available before protection is needed, a single dose of IPV is recommended.[/li]
[/ul]
*If <3 doses are administered, the remaining IPV doses to complete a 3-dose series should be administered when feasible, at the intervals recommended above, if the person remains at increased risk for poliovirus exposure.
*
*Adults who have completed a routine series of polio vaccine are considered to have lifelong immunity to poliomyelitis, but data are lacking. As a precaution, adults (≥18 years of age) who are traveling to areas where poliomyelitis cases are occurring and who have received a routine series with either IPV or OPV in childhood should receive another dose of IPV before departure. For adults, available data do not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV."
*

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Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

Firenze... Both my kids are being vaccinated on schedule.. I don't want to give them something that is not needed just for the sake of it.

Hmna.. I don't think they will care either but you know in Pakistan it's everyone's responsibility to scare you :D

Ehle.. My lil one was vaccinated a week before we came so I think it's too early to even give her another dose.. Right?

6

Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

yes. i believe at least 6 months tween 3rd and 4th dose.

7

Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

we just got back from Lahore and no one checked my daughter either. i was told by my SIL if they do check and you do not opt for the drops, they charge $50 (but not verified)

8

Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

same here, but as someone pointed out its recommended by CDC if you are visiting any polio epidemic area. call it a booster shot.

you have to wait 72 hours before administrating another polio vaccine ipv or opv.

9

Re: Polio vaccine while traveling..

we are back and no one asked us even though there were sugns posted at Islamabad airport. I was prepared to argue and had their immunization records with me. At the end of day, I would have rather paid the fine than vaccinate my child unnecessary. :-)