Polio and Travel in 2026 — Which Countries Still Have a Risk?
Most people in developed countries had polio vaccine as children and haven't thought about it since. For most travel, that's fine — but there are specific destinations and situations where polio deserves a second look.
Where wild poliovirus still circulates
Wild poliovirus type 1 now circulates in only two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan. These are the last remaining reservoirs of wild poliovirus, and both have active transmission. If you are visiting either country, ensuring your polio vaccination is up to date is important. Pakistan in particular requires proof of polio vaccination from travellers departing the country — you may be vaccinated at the border if you can't prove you're covered.
Vaccine-derived poliovirus
Separate from wild poliovirus, there are occasional outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) — a mutated form that can emerge in under-vaccinated populations. These have occurred in parts of Africa (including DR Congo, Sudan, and others) and some parts of Asia. The CDC publishes a global polio advisory listing countries with current cVDPV circulation. In 2025–2026, over 25 countries have had some form of circulating poliovirus.
What to do
Check whether your routine polio vaccination is up to date — most adults vaccinated in childhood have good protection. If you haven't had a booster in the last 10 years and are travelling to a risk area, a single OPV or IPV booster is recommended. It's a simple one-dose addition to any travel clinic appointment.
For Pakistan and Afghanistan specifically, carry documentation of your polio vaccination status. A booster within 12 months of travel is recommended by some authorities for these destinations.
The broader picture
Polio eradication has come remarkably far — from hundreds of thousands of cases per year in the 1980s to wild poliovirus confined to two countries. The risk for most travellers is low. But ensuring routine vaccination is current is a minor precaution with no downside.