Polio Resurgence in Pakistan 1 Million Children Miss Vaccines

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Photo : PTI

Polio, a disease that once stood on the brink of elimination in Pakistan, is experiencing a concerning resurgence. Recent reports indicate that over 1 million children missed their vaccinations in September alone, raising alarms among health officials about the potential for increased infection rates.

In October, Pakistani authorities documented more than a dozen new polio infections, bringing the total for the year to 39. This represents a significant jump from just six reported cases in 2023. The resurgence of polio is attributed to a combination of vaccination gaps and escalating security threats faced by health workers.

Vaccination Gaps and Misinformation

Ayesha Raza, the focal person to the Prime Minister on polio eradication, has pointed to low vaccine coverage as a key factor in the rise of cases. She explained, "About 1 million children missed their polio vaccinations in September, widening the immunity gap that has grown since Covid-19 disrupted immunisation efforts." Polio is a highly infectious viral disease primarily affecting children under five and can lead to irreversible paralysis, respiratory complications, and even death. It spreads through contaminated food and water, and while there is no cure, the disease is preventable through vaccination. Since the 1980s, global immunisation efforts have reduced polio cases by over 99 percent.

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Currently, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, the UN health agency expressed concerns about a possible resurgence of the disease in Gaza due to ongoing conflict.

Challenges of Eradication in Pakistan

Despite the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, vaccination programs in Pakistan face significant challenges. Trust issues regarding foreign health initiatives have lingered since 2011 when it was revealed that U.S. intelligence had used a fake vaccination drive in Abbottabad to locate Osama bin Laden. This incident fostered widespread suspicion, particularly in remote regions.

In addition to distrust, religious beliefs, a lack of awareness, and rampant misinformation have exacerbated the situation. In Balochistan, a province bordering Afghanistan, misinformation has led to hesitancy among parents to vaccinate their children. Local officials have noted that most new cases have been reported in this region, where reluctance to complete the recommended four doses of the polio vaccine is common. Raza emphasized, “Most of the children recently infected had been partially vaccinated but didn’t complete their full vaccination,” and warned that cases are expected to rise as surveillance efforts increase.

Security Concerns Hinder Polio Campaigns

The rise in polio cases has coincided with a disturbing trend of increased militant violence against vaccination clinics and security personnel. Anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan have long been undermined by attacks from militants who propagate false narratives claiming that vaccines are a Western plot aimed at sterilizing children.

This year alone, there have been 27 recorded attacks on polio workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police. In one incident in September, armed militants shot and killed a police officer assigned to protect a vaccination site in Bannu, sparking protests. Additionally, that month saw the deaths of both a police officer and a polio worker in a separate attack in Bajaur.

Aftab Kakar, a representative from the Emergency Operation Center in Balochistan, highlighted how these security threats, along with protests and community boycotts, have disrupted vaccination campaigns. He stated, “These disruptions have left a group of missed children who could sustain virus transmission.” Moreover, he pointed out that some health workers had mistakenly marked children as vaccinated, further contributing to the rise in infections.

Hopes for Eradication Despite Setbacks

Despite these significant obstacles, Pakistani authorities remain optimistic about eradicating polio. A nationwide vaccination campaign is set to launch on October 28, with the goal of inoculating 45 million children under five. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme asserted, “Polio eradication is Pakistan’s top priority.” The program aims for a unified approach with provinces to stop polio transmission by 2025.

As the country navigates these challenges, the urgent need for increased vaccination coverage and public trust remains critical in the fight against polio resurgence.

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