Polio Walk-In Clinics Open
Polio is a serious infection caused by a virus (poliovirus) that can affect the brain and nerves – this can cause permanent paralysis of muscles which makes you unable to move part or all of your body. It is rare but can be very serious for unvaccinated people.
Poliovirus has been found in sewage in London and there are signs polio may be spreading between people.
The best way to prevent polio is to make sure that you and your child are up to date with your vaccinations. The polio vaccine is offered to children as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccinations; these are the vaccines that are offered to all babies and children for free by the NHS. The chance of getting ill from polio is higher if you are not fully vaccinated against it.
Happily, lots of children in Barnet and north London have now received the additional polio booster injection for children aged 1 to 9 offered by the NHS. Most children aged 5 and under will be invited to get this by their GP, but you can now get the vaccine at walk-in clinics which are presently open to children aged 6 to 9.
Walk-in clinics in Barnet offering the polio vaccine for children aged 6 - 9
All clinics are for children who live in London. You can attend any clinic in any borough, so if these clinics are not convenient, have a look at neighbouring boroughs as well.
You will need to take your child's Red book or eRedbook records of your child’s immunisations. (But if you can’t find these, then don’t worry – you should still be able to get a vaccination).
You'll also need your child’s NHS number.
Cullimore Chemist – 13-15 Glengall Road, Edgware, HA8 8TB
- Monday – Friday, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Walk-in, no need to book
- For children aged 5 – 9 who are up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations, with the pre-school booster given more than 1 year ago.
- COVID-19 vaccinations are also available at this site, see clinic times and details here.
Mango Pharmacy, 98 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7HF
- TBC
- Walk-in, no need to book
- For children aged 6 – 9 who are up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations, with the pre-school booster given more than 1 year ago.
COVID-19 vaccinations are also available at this site, see clinic times and details here.
Find out more about the polio vaccine
Plus, local GP Dr Folusha Oluwajana, explains in a one-minute video why children in London are being invited to get protected against polio this autumn.
UCLH offers walk-in polio vaccinations for children aged 1-9
On Saturdays and Sundays between 9:30 am - 6:00 pm, parents from across North Central London can take their children aged 1 – 9 for a walk-in polio vaccination at: Clinic K (outpatients) University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, NW1 2BU.
UCLH Chief Executive, David Probert said: “Huge thanks to all our staff working weekends at UCLH Clinic K to help parents find a convenient time to get their children vaccinated outside of the working week. We are delighted that more than 1500 polio vaccines have been delivered on weekends through September to help keep children safe from a very serious childhood disease at a time when poliovirus is circulating in London.”
Walk-in or Book
There is no need to pre-book an appointment, but families may have to wait at busy times. For a guaranteed slot you can book online.
Book a walk-in appointment at the UCLH Polio Clinic
Further information, including what to take with you to your child’s vaccination appointment
