news release
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health  SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

CONTACT:     SUSAN TOLCHIN                                                                                  (914) 285-2932

                        MARY LANDRIGAN                                                                          (914) 637-4715

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                        January 8, 2001

 

                                                     POLIO IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATION

 

Health Department encourages area residents, especially travelers to Dominican Republic and Haiti, to make sure their polio immunizations are up-to-date.

 

The Westchester County Department of Health today alerted residents, especially travelers to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, to make sure their polio immunizations are up-to-date.  A small outbreak of polio in the Dominican Republic and Haiti causes concern because of frequent local travel to these countries.  Travelers to those countries and local residents from or with close ties to the Dominican Republic and Haiti communities should consult with their health care providers to be sure their polio immunizations are up-to-date.

 

“Although we have not had any cases of polio in our area, many of our residents travel frequently to these countries.  Residents, especially children whose polio immunizations are not up-to-date, could be at risk of contracting polio,” stated Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Commissioner of Health.  “The Health Department is conducting outreach efforts to community based organizations and health care providers to encourage that childhood polio immunizations are up-to-date.”

 

Polio is a viral illness that can cause paralysis and death; infants and young children are most frequently affected.  Although rare in the United States because of aggressive childhood immunization against polio, polio cases do occur in a number of countries around the world. 

 

Polio is highly contagious, but can be prevented through a series of polio vaccine shots given at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6-18months, and 4 years.  Adults who travel to countries reporting polio cases should consult with their health care provider for a review of their vaccination options; a booster may be required or a full series of polio vaccines may be required.

 

Childhood immunizations are available through health care providers, neighborhood health centers, and the Westchester County Department of Health.  For more information, contact the Health Department at 813-5000.