Pre vaccine (1957): approx 1 in 167,000 (0.0006%) for all ages (1948 to 1957)
What is polio?
Poliomyelitis, commonly called polio, is an infection caused by a virus that multiplies in the gastrointestinal tract. Polio is transmitted when the virus enters the mouth or nose and infects the throat and gastrointestinal tract. Polio was declared eradicated in Europe in 2002. Today, globally it is an infectious disease that affects children living in poverty in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, where sanitation and hygiene is poor and clean water and food is limited.
The live attenuated oral polio vaccine (OPV) can cause vaccine strain polio in the vaccinated person or in a person who comes in contact with a recently vaccinated person’s body fluids (urine, stool, saliva) because the vaccine strain polio virus is shed for several weeks after vaccination. Vaccine strain polio can cause mild or severe and permanent paralysis similar to the paralysis caused by wild type polio.
What is the risk of getting polio in Ireland today?
Polio was declared eradicated in Europe in 2002 so there is a negligible risk of getting polio in Europe. Last reported case was 1984.
What is the risk of death from polio in Ireland?
There have been no deaths from polio in Ireland since 1994. The risk of dying from polio in Ireland for all ages in the decade before the vaccine was introduced in 1957 was approximately 1 in 167,000 (0.0006%).
What vaccines are recommended on the childhood schedule for polio in Ireland?
Infanrix-Hexa (recommended at 2, 4, 6 and 13 months)
All vaccines come with risks, some very serious. Below are summaries of the potential side effects as listed on the patient information leaflets.
Infanrix-Hexa summary of risks. Click here to see full details on this vaccine.
Risks from each dose of 6 in 1 vaccine Infanrix-Hexa (6-in-1)
4 doses recommended at 2,4,6 and 13 months(as per Infanrix Hexa Patient information leaflet Aug 2024)
Observed side effects post administration of Infanrix (post marketing)
Paralysis, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs (neuropathy)
Inflammation of some nerves, possibly with pins and needles or loss of feeling or normal movement (Guillain-Barré syndrome)
Swelling or infection of the brain (encephalopathy, encephalitis)
Infection around the brain (meningitis)
Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal (thrombocytopenia)
Risk Category
Observed Side Effects
Up to 1 in 10,000 (0.01%)
Dermatitis
Up to 1 in 1,000 (0.1%)
Bronchitis
Rash
Swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy)
Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal (thrombocytopenia)
In babies born very prematurely (at or before 28 weeks of gestation) longer gaps than normal between breaths may occur for 2-3 days after vaccination
Temporarily stopping breathing (apnoea)
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing (angioedema)
Swelling of the whole injected limb
Blisters
Up to 1 in 100 (1%)
Upper respiratory tract infection, tiredness, cough, large swelling at the injected limb
Up to 1 in 10 (1% to 10%)
Sleepiness
Loss of appetite
High temperature of 38°C or higher
Swelling, pain, redness where the injection was given
Unusual crying
Feeling irritable or restless
More than 1 in 10 (10%)
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
High temperature of more than 39.5°C
Swelling or hard lump where the injection was given
Feeling nervous
Other special warnings and precautions
Avoid if child is allergic to formaldehyde, neomycin and polymyxin (antibiotics).
Contains para-aminobenzoic acid which can cause allergic reactions.
Phenylalanine may be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which phenylalanine builds up because the body cannot remove it properly.
Adverse Events on WHO Vigiaccess Reporting System
As of August 2024, 73,005 adverse events have been reported for 6-in-1 vaccines.
Tetravac summary of risks. Click here to see full details on this vaccine.
Risks from each dose of 4 in 1 vaccine Tetravac (4-in-1)
1 dose recommended in junior infants(As per Patient information leaflet Jan 2024)
Observed side effects post administration of Tetravac (post marketing)
Fits (convulsions), with or without fever
Fainting
Rash, redness and itchiness of the skin (erythema, urticaria)
Large reactions at the injection site (larger than 5 cm), including extensive limb swelling from the injection site beyond one or both joints
These reactions start within 24-72 hours after vaccination, may be associated with redness, warmth, tenderness or pain at the injection site, and get better within 3-5 days without the need for treatment
Swelling of the glands in the neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy)
Other reactions seen with vaccines containing the same active substances as this vaccine include:
Temporary loss of movement or feeling (Guillain-Barré syndrome) and loss of movement, pain and numbness (brachial neuritis) of the arm and the shoulder
Episodes when your child goes into a shock-like state or is pale, floppy and unresponsive for a period of time (hypotonic hyporesponsive episodes)
Risk Category
Observed Side Effects
Up to 1 in 10,000 (0.01%)
High fever over 40°C
Up to 1 in 1,000 (0.1%)
Prolonged inconsolable crying, redness and swelling of 5 cm or more at the site of the injection, fever of 39°C or more
Up to 1 in 10 (1% to 10%)
Diarrhoea, sleep disturbances, hardening of skin at injection site
More than 1 in 10 (10%)
Vomiting
Appetite loss
Drowsiness
Headache
Nervousness or irritability
Abnormal crying
Myalgia (muscle pain)
Redness / pain / swelling at injection site
Fever of 38°C or more
Malaise
Other special warnings and precautions – avoid if:
Allergic (hypersensitive) to glutaraldehyde, neomycin, streptomycin and polymyxin B (antibiotics)
Loss of movement and feeling following a previous tetanus vaccine
Fever, collapse or shock-like state, persistent inconsolable crying following previous pertussis vaccine
WHO Vigaccess Adverse Events Reporting System
As of August 2024, 79,256 adverse events have been reported for 4-in-1 vaccines including Tetravac
