Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio Vaccination
If you are travelling to a risk area for polio or diphtheria, you may need the polio, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine. Whether you require this booster depends on the date of your last vaccination.
Prices
Price per dose: £30
Doses per course: 1
Price per course: £30
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About the vaccine
When to get vaccinated: You should get your polio, diphtheria and tetanus booster two weeks before travel.
Course: If you have had the vaccine before, you will need one dose as a booster. If it’s your first jab, you may need several doses.
Boosters: How long does the Polio, Tetanus, and Diphtheria vaccine last? The vaccine protects you for 10 years. You will need a booster to remain protected after 10 years.
How it is given: The vaccine is given as an injection in the upper arm.
Side effects: You may experience mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site or feeling unwell.
Children: We offer the vaccine for children from the age of 6.
Additional precautions: Polio, tetanus and diphtheria are serious illnesses which can cause a range of complications. They can be fatal.
About the diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccination
When administered as a booster before travel, the polio, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccine necessitates just one injection. If your last dose of this vaccine was received more than ten years ago, a booster is recommended before your journey.
This vaccine includes active components that aid in the development of immunity against all three diseases. It is not unusual to observe redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site, as these are common side effects. You may also experience malaise, nausea, or develop a fever and headache shortly after the injection.
What is polio?
Polio is a viral infection that was prevalent in the United Kingdom during the 1940s and 1950s. Thanks to widespread polio vaccination, the disease has been eradicated in the UK. The polio virus can inflict damage on the nervous system, resulting in permanent paralysis and, in severe cases, even death.
Individuals who have survived polio are at risk of developing post-polio syndrome (PPS) later in life, leading to symptoms like fatigue and muscle weakness. PPS can manifest decades after the initial polio infection and unfortunately, there is no cure for it.
If you grew up in the UK, it is highly likely that you received polio vaccinations during your childhood. However, if you are planning to travel to a country that has not yet eliminated polio, you may require a booster polio vaccine to ensure your continued protection.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by the Clostridium tetani bacteria. Infection typically occurs when these bacteria enter an open wound following an injury. The risk of contracting tetanus is especially elevated after an animal bite or if the wound has been exposed to soil or manure. The same applies if the wound contains a foreign object or if there is a delay in cleaning and treating the wound.
The most common symptom of tetanus is the stiffness of the jaw muscles, often referred to as “lockjaw.” Tetanus patients tend to experience muscle cramps and spasms over a period of 1 to 4 days, which can affect their ability to breathe and swallow. These spasms may be accompanied by fever, profuse sweating, and an abnormally rapid heartbeat. If left untreated, there is a substantial risk of sudden cardiac death, pulmonary embolism, aspiration pneumonia, and kidney failure.
A tetanus vaccine offers reliable protection against this infection.
What is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that can spread rapidly. It is transmitted through contact with the saliva and mucus of an infected individual. Most people in the UK have received vaccination against the disease, which is why it is now a very rare occurrence.
Common symptoms of diphtheria include a high fever, a sore throat, breathing difficulties, and the presence of a grey or white membrane in the patient’s throat. Patients diagnosed with diphtheria need to be isolated while receiving antibiotic treatment.
Diphtheria can lead to severe complications and potentially fatal conditions, such as respiratory problems and inflammation of the heart. To safeguard against diphtheria, it is crucial to ensure that your diphtheria vaccine is up to date. If you are planning to travel to an area with a risk of diphtheria, you may require a booster diphtheria vaccination for added protection.
Do I need the diphtheria, tetanus and polio vaccine?
When planning to travel to a region at risk of polio or diphtheria, you may need the polio, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccine. Whether or not you require this booster is contingent on the date of your last vaccination.
If your last polio and diphtheria vaccination was administered over a decade ago, or if you didn’t complete your last vaccination series, you will need additional protection before your journey.
The tetanus vaccine is advisable for anyone travelling to an area with limited access to medical facilities. Regions with a high incidence of polio and diphtheria include parts of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Vaccination Schedule
One booster dose. If you have never had the vaccine before you may need more than one dose.
Boosters
Every ten years.
Who needs it?
You should have a booster if it’s been more than 10 years since you last had one.
Age Restrictions
We provide the vaccine for children over the age of 6.