To Keep New Yorkers and Children Polio-Free, NYSDOH Urges Vaccination
Visit NYSDOH polio webpage here
ALBANY, N.Y. (August 1, 2022) – The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) today updated New Yorkers about polio in New York State. After identifying a case of polio in a Rockland County resident, the NYSDOH initiated wastewater surveillance, among other detection efforts, to check for signs of the virus. Read also : Mayor Bowser Announces Dr LaQuandra Nesbitt’s Departure as Director of DC Health | mayormb. After analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the polio virus was detected in June samples in Rockland County. These findings underscore the critical importance of vaccination in protecting New York City and all New York City children against polio.
“Polio is a dangerous disease with potentially devastating consequences,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “In the United States, we are very fortunate to have access to the crucial protection provided by the polio vaccine, which has protected our country and New Yorkers for more than 60 years. Given how quickly polio can spread, it’s time for all adults and parents to protect themselves and their children. – to vaccinate their daughters as soon as possible.”
As part of ongoing surveillance efforts, New York’s wastewater samples are shared with the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN), which includes CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). The GPLN confirmed that the New York case is genetically linked to two Sabin-like type 2 (SL2) isolates from early June samples from Rockland County and samples from Jerusalem, Israel, and recently detected environmental VDPV2. samples in London, UK. New Yorkers should be aware that this does not mean that individual cases identified in New York have a history of travel to Israel or the UK.
NYSDOH continues to work with global, national, and local public health authorities—including the Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH)—to aggressively assess and contain the spread of the virus. preventive measures, particularly vaccination clinics, are in place – because the best way to keep New York polio-free is to maintain high immunity in the entire population through vaccination.
All unvaccinated New Yorkers, including infants 2 months of age and older, pregnant women, and people who have not previously completed the polio vaccine series, should get vaccinated immediately. Unvaccinated New Yorkers who live, work, attend school, or visit Rockland County are at greatest risk of exposure. Rockland County currently has a polio vaccination rate of 60.5% among two-year-olds, compared to a statewide average of 79.1%.*
Polio is a serious and life-threatening disease. Spread from person to person, polio is highly contagious, and a person can transmit the virus even if they are not sick. Symptoms, which can be mild and flu-like, can take up to 30 days to appear, during which time an infected person can spread the virus to others. Some cases of polio can lead to paralysis or death.
Although there is no treatment or cure for polio, it can be prevented with safe and effective vaccines. A core component of the CDC’s standard childhood immunization schedule and required by the NYSDOH for all school-age children, those who are already vaccinated are believed to be at lower risk. According to the CDC, the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which has been the only polio vaccine given in the United States since 2000, protects 99% of children who receive all recommended doses.
New Yorkers can get more information about polio and the polio vaccine at health.ny.gov/polio
About New York State Polio Vaccination Rates
* Based on data calculated from the New York Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) as of July 1, 2022, polio vaccination rates include all New York counties except New York City. The rate is calculated based on data from 2-year-old children who have received 3 polio vaccines, who report their residence as New York State, if they have a New York county of residence, and who have at least one immunization or who are upstate. York State birth record. Read also : Shawn Mendes taking a break for mental health: Can celebrities fight stigma?. Effective January 8, 2008, all health care providers in New York State must report all vaccinations given to individuals under the age of 19 to the NYSDOH using NYSIIS, along with the individual’s immunization histories. Age and immunization status were calculated as of July 1, when health care providers have 14 days to enter data into NYSIIS. New York City maintains its own immunization records against COVID-19 through the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR).
