Melo Villareal
How to get a Polio Vaccine Certificate for Travel Purposes?
Manila, Philippines — After almost two decades of the Philippines being free from poliovirus, the Department of Health (DOH) declared a polio outbreak in the country back in September.
This means that travelers from the Philippines who are going to certain countries may need to secure a polio vaccine certificate if they wish to travel abroad.
For the uninitiated, those adults who come from places with cases of the virus are required to get a so-called booster dose of the polio vaccine. It is even if they already got the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) that are usually administered to those children aged five and below. These doses of polio vaccines are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is also the WHO that tells travelers from infected areas to get “an additional dose” of OPV or IPV “within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel.” The purpose is to lessen the possibility of reintroducing the poliovirus to an area that is free of the virus. On top of that, this is also to boost the traveler’s immunity against the virus.
The booster dose is a necessity so to get an entry visa to certain countries.
So, without further ado, here is the process on how to get your ICV, according to an article from Rappler.
Step 1: Contact the embassy or consulate of your country of destination in the Philippines in an aim to ask about the immunization requirements of the area. You have to get a booster shot once the country you are visiting requires a polio vaccine certificate.
Step 2: You can either head to the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) or a private hospital that issues the needed International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV). Note, however, that BOQ only gives OPV. Pick a private hospital, instead, if you wish to get the IPV.
Step 3: If you choose the latter option, then your doctor should give you a signed medical certificate that has your name along with the lot number of the vaccine given to you.
Step 4: You will then need to fork out P300 from your pocket for the issuance of the certificate. The fee is the same if you wish to get vaccinated at the BOQ. Note that this certificate is valid for a lifetime.
There you have it: the steps you have to follow when getting an ICV needed for your next travel to some countries that require Polio Vaccine Certificate, including Maldives, Qatar, Morocco, and Brunei.
Searching for best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more travel stories like this? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, and Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
