When did polio stop in Australia?

Australia began mass vaccination against polio in 1956, and the country’s last polio epidemic was in 1961-62, after a second wave took hold due to vaccination rates not being high enough to achieve herd immunity.

Does polio exist in Australia?

Australia has been officially polio-free since 2000. Polio is present in only a few countries in the world.

Are there any active cases of polio in 2020?

Key Facts. Polio, a highly infectious and sometimes deadly disease that has plagued the world since ancient times, is now at very low levels, with 140 reported cases of wild poliovirus (WPV) in 2020.

How common is polio in Australia?

The entire western Pacific region, including Australia, has been declared polio-free since 2000. New cases of polio in Australia are rare, but the disease remains a health risk for travellers to some countries of the world. Since 1986, the only new case of polio in Australia was reported in July 2007.

What was happening in Australia in the 1950’s in relation to polio?

Epidemics in Australia From 1944 to 1954 polio was responsible for more than 1000 deaths in Australia. In America in the 1950s, polio killed or paralysed tens of thousands of people. In the early 20th century, suffering from polio was considered shameful and was associated with dirt and poverty.

Which country still has polio?

Polio is still endemic in three countries, i.e., Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan and is eradicated from the rest of the world.

Do we still vaccinate for polio in Australia?

Oral polio vaccine ( OPV ) is no longer used in Australia. OPV and IPV vaccine are interchangeable. Children who started their polio vaccination schedule with OPV should finish it with IPV vaccine or an IPV -containing vaccine.

When did TB vaccinations stop in Australia?

Indications. The BCG vaccine was part of the Australian vaccination schedule until 1985 and was given to young adolescents through school-based programs.