VACCINATIONS
Polio, also called infantile paralysis, is a serious and potentially life-changing illness caused by viruses. It spreads through the contamination of food or water with feces and can cause complications such as lasting paralysis, muscle weakness, impaired bone growth, and joint problems. Even long after the initial infection, individuals may suffer from muscle pain and ongoing paralysis, a condition known as post-polio syndrome.
In Germany, the primary immunization for polio takes place in the first year of life.
For those who haven't completed or are missing primary immunizations, it's important to catch up on vaccines. This can be done anytime, with two or three injections spaced at least four weeks to six months apart.
Routine booster shots are typically recommended between the ages of 11 and 16.
You have the option to receive the Polio Shot as part of a 4-in-1 combination vaccine, alongside diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, or as a standalone vaccine.
In Germany, there isn't a standard recommendation for routine boosters in adults.
Nevertheless, any missed booster shots can be caught up in adulthood.
While much of the world has successfully eliminated polio, pockets of the disease still exist in certain countries and regions, with the risk of spread to areas where it has been eradicated. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either polio or post-polio syndrome, but symptom management can greatly enhance quality of life.
Generally, vaccinations are well-tolerated. Common reactions include redness or swelling at the injection site, sometimes accompanied by pain. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes might also swell. General symptoms like chills, fever, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain, irritability, or gastrointestinal issues may occur. Usually, these vaccine reactions resolve within one to three days after vaccination. Serious side effects are very rare, and although allergic reactions to vaccine components can happen, they are uncommon.
The occurrence of polio resulting from vaccination, an exceedingly rare event with the earlier live vaccine (about 1 in 3 million vaccinations), is excluded with today's vaccine.
Also Interesting:
>>>Polioviruses in German wastewater samples: What parents should know<<<
Last update: 09/2025
Resources:
https://www.impfen-info.de/impfempfehlungen/fuer-erwachsene/polio-kinderlaehmung/