Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 25) — Filipinos are advised to take the polio vaccine before travelling to Indonesia.
The Philippine Embassy in Indonesia issued an advisory that requires Filipinos to get vaccinated at least four weeks before their trip to Indonesia.
This is to prevent the spread of the virus to the neighboring country.
Travelers to or from the Philippines are required to get immunized, and get an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.
If a traveler does not get immunized before entry to Indonesia, they will be fined 45,000 rupiah (approximately P170.00) by the Port Health Office and will be given the vaccine.
Refusal to get vaccinated could lead to deportation.
The Philippines currently has a polio outbreak with at least two confirmed cases, both caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2.
The Department of Health declared the outbreak last month, 19 years after the World Health Organization cleared the country of the disease,
The virus that mostly affects children five years old and below can cause nerve injury and possible paralysis. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented by the vaccine.
