Pakistan Faces Uphill Battle in Polio Eradication Efforts
ISLAMABAD — The resurgence of polio in Pakistan has officials on high alert as more than 1 million children missed their vaccination doses last month, posing a significant challenge in the fight to eradicate the disease.
Rise in Polio Cases
Pakistani officials recorded over a dozen new polio cases in October, bringing the total for the year to 39. This marks a stark increase from the mere six cases reported last year, signaling a setback in the country’s progress towards eliminating the virus.
Challenges and Causes
Ayesha Raza, the Focal Person to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Polio Eradication, attributed the recent surge in cases to low vaccine uptake. Approximately 1 million children missed their polio vaccinations in September, exacerbating an existing immunity gap that has widened due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Polio, a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of 5, attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, respiratory complications, and even death. The disease spreads through contaminated water or food and currently has no cure, but can be prevented through vaccination.
Global Impact
Despite global efforts to combat polio through immunization campaigns, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the disease is endemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also expressed concerns about a resurgence of polio in Gaza following prolonged Israeli bombardment.
Challenges in Vaccination Programs
Efforts to vaccinate children in Pakistan have been hampered by historical distrust of foreign healthcare providers, religious beliefs, and misinformation about the dangers of polio. International organizations and Pakistani authorities have worked tirelessly to dispel rumors and vaccinate children, but challenges persist.
Increasing Attacks and Insecurity
The rise in polio cases in Pakistan coincides with a surge in violent attacks against vaccination clinics, targeting police and security officials. Militants have long opposed anti-polio campaigns, with some claiming vaccines are part of a Western conspiracy.
Security concerns and community boycotts have disrupted vaccine campaigns, leaving a significant number of children unvaccinated. Despite these challenges, Pakistani authorities remain optimistic about halting the spread of polio, launching a new nationwide vaccination campaign to inoculate 45 million children under 5 years old.
“Polio eradication is Pakistan’s top priority,” stated Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Programme on social media. “A unified plan with provinces aims to stop polio transmission by 2025.” — CNN
