Social Authority

Polio (poliomyelitis) General Information

Do you have questions about polio (poliomyelitis)? Here you can find out who the right people to contact are.

Detailed description

Poliomyelitis (polio, infantile paralysis) is a disease caused by a virus. People primarily shed the virus through their stool. Infection can occur through contact with contaminated surfaces. This means that the virus can be transferred from tiny traces of stool to the hands and then into the mouth. Transmission through wastewater or drinking water is not possible.



Germany has been considered polio-free since 2002.



Polio vaccination is recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) and is administered as part of the standard multiple vaccination series in childhood. In Germany, the vaccine used is an inactivated polio vaccine. The vaccination is safe and offers good protection.

 

Information

Prerequisites

Not applicable

Documents required

no

Please note

As a preventative measure, wastewater in Hamburg is regularly tested for polio viruses. Occasionally, viruses are detected that originate from vaccines used in other countries (oral polio vaccines with live attenuated vaccines). Travelers from countries where polio still exists can also bring such viruses to Hamburg. Now, for the first time, a wild-type polio virus has also been detected in Hamburg's wastewater.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

  • For vaccination, please contact your family doctor's office or make an appointment at the public health department.
  • The local public health department is available to answer questions about polio and polio in wastewater. You can contact them by phone or in writing.

Processing time

no

Fees

no

Legal remedies

Not applicable

Legal basis

Not applicable

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Social Authority

G 41
Basic Tasks of Public Health and Infection Protection

Information is available at all public health offices (infection control).

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Keywords: poliomyelitis Polio vaccinations polio Wastewater samples Wastewater analyses

Last updated: 10.10.2026