Polio booster - is it necessary?

[gymbunny776]

My 2.5 year old is up to date with all his routine jabs so far, including polio. However, we’ve just received a letter from our local health authority stating that polio is on the rise in London (where we live) and inviting him to get a booster. I’m confused as to why he needs this. I know polio is on the increase in our area, but I thought the jabs he’s had so far were meant to protect him fully from polio - and if that is the case, why does he need a booster? If anyone with more medical/scientific knowledge than me could explain I would be keen to know!

They're offering it to all children. (They're doing it in my Borough, too).

I realise that, but if he’s up to date with all his jabs by this age, shouldn’t he be fully immune anyway?

Because he has a higher chance of catching it, he needs higher levels of protection. Vaccines are not 100% effective, so a booster will increase his protection further. In places where there are no active cases of polio, the standard schedule is sufficient.

Vaccines don't work like that. You don't just become immune. The risk of catching things is just greatly reduced and will be further reduced with a booster.

I see, thank you. I will book him in.

FYI there have been no actual cases of polio reported. They detected traces of the virus in sewage samples. Still will definitely be getting my kids jabbed!

No, they give out vaccines for fun.

They don’t spend money on vaccines unless it’s necessary.