Children in Richmond borough are being offered a dose of polio vaccine amid fears the virus may be circulating in the capital.

Traces of the virus, which, historically, was linked to paralysis have been found in sewage plants in London.

This would be a concern, according to health experts, because the number of children vaccinated against polio in London is lower than it should be.

There have been no confirmed cases of paralysis due to polio caught in the UK since 1984 and the risk of getting it remains extremely low.

However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that a targeted inactivated polio vaccine booster dose should be offered to all children between the ages of one and nine.

GPs and the NHS have been contacting parents of 1 to 9 year olds in South West London to invite them to book a vaccination appointment.

Parents with children aged between 1 and 4 are being offered an appointment at their GP practice. Parents with children aged between 5 and 9 can book an appointment at a local vaccination clinic.

Polio is a serious infection that is now very rare because of the vaccination programme. It is a highly infectious disease that can cause total paralysis for any age – but mainly affects children aged three and under.

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Cllr Piers Allen, Lead member for Adult Social Care and Health and Chair of the Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board, said: "It's important parents/guardians of all children aged 1 to 9, even if their children are up to date with their vaccinations, accept this vaccine when offered to boost their children's immunity, both to help protect them and reduce the risk of the virus continuing to spread."