What should you know about polio virus types?

The types are distinct versions of poliovirus. Immunity to one type does not automatically provide the same protection against every other type, which is why vaccines and public-health programmes are designed to cover the relevant types.

The phrase circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus describes a rare situation in which weakened vaccine virus changes over time in communities with low immunity and can circulate. It is different from wild poliovirus, but it can still cause paralysis, making strong community protection important.

Keep personal and household vaccination records available and follow the immunisation schedule recommended by local health services. Ask a clinician to review missed doses, travel plans, pregnancy, immune conditions or a child's medical history before vaccination decisions are made.

Good hand hygiene and safe sanitation also limit faecal-oral spread. If a public-health service announces an additional vaccination activity, follow its advice even if routine doses were previously received.

Sudden weakness, loss of movement, difficulty walking, swallowing problems or breathing difficulty require prompt assessment, regardless of which type may be circulating. Seek emergency help for worsening weakness or breathing problems.

Ask which vaccine formulation and schedule apply locally, whether a missed dose should be caught up, and whether travel changes your protection needs.