A resident of Rockland County, New York has tested positive for the disease after nearly a decade without a case in the U.S.
The New York State Department of Health revealed that a person had caught a strain of the disease. The live oral vaccine has not been administered in the US since 2000.
The U.S. and many other countries stopped using the oral vaccine due to the fact that it contains live, but weakened, polioviruses. In rare instances, these weakened viruses have evolved to be more like wild, naturally-occurring polioviruses that can cause illness in people who aren't fully vaccine-vaccinated. Because of this risk, the U.S. only administers "inactivated" polio vaccines, and all other countries will eventually need to stop using the oral vaccine.
The New York resident tested positive for a vaccine-derived polioviruses, which suggests that the virus may have originated outside of the U.S. A vaccine-derived strain was the cause of the last US case of the disease.
UK officials warn of the detection of a disease in sewage.
"Based on what we know about this case, the Department of Health strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinations or boosted with the FDA-approved IPV vaccine as soon as possible."
The vaccine is safe and effective and has been part of the recommended immunizations for children.
There is a requirement for all children in the U.S. to be immunized against diseases at a young age. Unvaccinated individuals and those who have not completed their vaccine series should get their vaccine. People who are at risk of exposure should get a booster shot.
On Friday, July 22nd, Rockland County will host a vaccine clinic at the health complex at 50 Sanatorium Road in New York. On Monday, there will be a second clinic at the same location.
Pre-register for a free appointment here or call to schedule it. They will accept walk-ins. Federally qualified health centers are able to provide vaccines.
It was originally published on Live Science
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