Polio Vaccination
£90 per dose · Same-week appointments available · Open 7 days
About the Polio Vaccination
Poliomyelitis is a potentially paralysing and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, which primarily affects the nervous system. The virus spreads through contaminated food and water and via the faecal-oral route. In the majority of cases infection is asymptomatic, but in a small proportion it invades the nervous system and causes irreversible paralytic disease — particularly in unvaccinated individuals and young children.
Polio has been eradicated in most of the world through global immunisation campaigns, but it remains endemic in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan and has caused recent outbreaks in Ukraine, Tajikistan, and, in 2022, detected cases in London sewage. Travellers to endemic or risk regions should ensure their polio vaccination is up to date. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is given as part of the combined Td/IPV (tetanus, diphtheria, polio) booster injection.
Who should have this vaccination?
- Travellers to countries where poliovirus transmission is ongoing or has been recently detected
- Adults who have not had a polio booster in the past ten years
- Individuals with incomplete or unknown childhood vaccination records
- Healthcare workers, aid workers, and those working with children in endemic regions
- Those travelling to areas with active outbreaks, where a certificate of polio vaccination may be required for exit
Vaccination schedule
Individuals who completed a full childhood primary course of polio vaccination require a booster dose every ten years if travelling to endemic areas. Those with an incomplete vaccination history may require additional doses. The vaccine is administered as a combined Td/IPV injection, simultaneously protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio in a single dose. Some countries with active outbreaks require proof of vaccination for entry or exit — our clinical team can advise and provide documentation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Polio vaccine cost at The Vesey?
The Polio vaccine is available at The Vesey Private Hospital from £90 per dose. Book online or call 0121 387 3727.
Do I need an appointment for vaccinations at The Vesey?
Yes, we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability. Same-week appointments are usually available. Book online or call 0121 387 3727. We are open 7 days a week including Sundays.
Is the Polio vaccine available on Sundays in Sutton Coldfield?
Yes. The Vesey is open every day of the week including Sundays from 8am to 8pm — the only private clinic in Sutton Coldfield with 7-day access for vaccinations.
Which countries require proof of polio vaccination for entry?
Pakistan and Afghanistan — the only countries where polio remains endemic — may require travellers to carry a certificate of polio vaccination. Additionally, travellers leaving Pakistan and Afghanistan to certain countries are required to show a valid certificate. Check current requirements at the time of booking.
How many doses of the polio vaccine do adults need?
Adults who completed their primary childhood course (3 doses) require a single booster dose if travelling to a polio-risk country. If the primary course was not completed or is uncertain, a full 3-dose course (Td/IPV) is recommended, with doses given at 0, 1, and 2 months.
Do I need a polio booster if I was vaccinated as a child?
Probably yes if you are travelling to a polio-affected area and your last booster was more than 10 years ago. Most UK adults received their primary course as children; a single Td/IPV (Revaxis) booster updates tetanus, diphtheria, and polio protection simultaneously.
What is the difference between IPV and the oral polio vaccine?
IPV (inactivated polio vaccine), used exclusively in the UK since 2004, is given by injection and cannot cause vaccine-associated paralytic polio. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), which contains live attenuated virus, is still used in some countries but is no longer used in the UK due to safety concerns.
Live availability — book directly below
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · Unit 3, The Courtyard, Sutton Coldfield B75 7BU · Free parking · CQC-regulated
Getting the Polio Vaccination at The Vesey
The Vesey Private Hospital in Sutton Coldfield provides the Polio Vaccination without the delays associated with NHS appointment backlogs. Same-week appointments are frequently available, and no GP referral is required — you can book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727.
Why vaccinate privately at The Vesey?
- Same-week availability — appointments typically available within days, not weeks
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm with no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral needed — book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727
- Expert travel health advice — our clinical team provides destination-specific vaccination schedules and travel health guidance
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.87 out of 5 from 700+ independently verified Doctify reviews
- Free on-site parking — immediately outside the clinic, serving Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, and the wider West Midlands
Corporate vaccination programmes
The Vesey offers workplace vaccination programmes for businesses across the West Midlands. On-site vaccination clinics can be arranged for groups of any size. Contact corporate@thevesey.co.uk or call 0121 387 3727 for further information and a quote.
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Book your Polio Vaccination
The Vesey · Sutton Coldfield · Open 7 days 8am–8pm · £90 per dose