LGL: Timely Vaccination Protection Against Polio Important - Germany tightens polio defences as virus traces reappear in wastewater
Polio vaccination remains a key focus in Germany as health authorities monitor wastewater for traces of the virus. Since early 2024, polio viruses have been detected in samples from multiple cities. The German Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) continues to recommend a strict immunisation schedule to protect children from the disease.
The STIKO advises a 2+1 vaccination scheme for infants, with doses given at 2, 4, and 11 months of age. Preterm babies follow a slightly different 3+1 schedule. Booster shots are then recommended at 9 and 16 years old to maintain immunity. Ideally, the full primary series should be completed within a child’s first year.
Polio primarily threatens children under five, though adults can also become infected. In Bavaria, vaccination rates show strong compliance: three out of four toddlers are fully protected by age two. By the time they start school, 94 percent of children in the region have received all required doses. The recent detection of polio viruses in wastewater has raised awareness. Authorities stress that high vaccination coverage remains the best defence against outbreaks.
Germany’s vaccination programme aims to keep polio at bay through early and consistent immunisation. With most children in Bavaria fully protected by school age, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely. The STIKO’s guidelines remain unchanged, emphasising the importance of completing the vaccine series on time.
