Polio: Centre set up at hospital in Sec 16 to vaccinate int’l travellers

The UT Health Department has made arrangements for international travellers to receive polio vaccination at Model Immunisation Centre on the premises of Government Multi-Speciality Hospital in Sector 16.

All travellers coming for polio vaccination have to bring their passport with them and vaccination certificate will be issued to them by the District Immunisation Officer.

The Government of India has issued an advisory regarding polio vaccination for those travelling between India and polio-infected countries. To minimise the risk of polio virus importation in the country, the Government of India has revised the list of polio-infected countries.

Presently, 11 countries, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Syria, have been identified as polio-infected countries. All travellers to and from these countries should receive a dose of polio vaccine at least four weeks prior to their travel.

India has not reported polio case since January 13, 2011, and was certified polio-free on March 27, 2014, along with other countries in the South-East Asia Region of World Health Organization.