ISLAMABAD: Families’ refusals and unavailability leave approximately 500,000 children unvaccinated during this month’s nationwide polio campaign, reveals Prime Minister’s Coordinator for National Health Services Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath.
So far this year, the country has recorded 48 polio cases: 23 in Balochistan, 13 in Sindh, 10 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and one each in Punjab and Islamabad. In response to the rising cases, a nationwide anti-polio campaign was launched from October 28 to November 3, targeting over 45 million children.
Despite past progress, Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio remains endemic. The vaccination campaign continues to face obstacles, including misinformation and attacks on polio teams by militants.
“We estimate around 500,000 refusals or missed cases due to families traveling,” Bharath told Arab News in an interview. “But we are committed to tracking and ensuring these children are vaccinated.”
Pakistan saw a resurgence in polio cases after 2018, reversing significant prior gains. In 2023, only six cases were reported compared to 20 in 2022 and just one in 2021.
This resurgence has coincided with an increase in attacks on vaccination teams. Earlier this month, a bombing targeted police escorting vaccine workers, killing seven, including five children. Two police officers were also killed in a separate attack.
Mr Bharath mourned the loss of over 90 polio workers killed since 2012, acknowledging their sacrifices as unparalleled. “More than 90 have been martyred for serving the nation,” he said.
He also highlighted the impact of the Afghan refugee repatriation, many of whom were unvaccinated, on the virus's spread. “The repatriation program last year led to the spread of poliovirus as refugees moved across Pakistan,” Bharath stated.
Vaccine hesitancy in tribal areas and security concerns remain key challenges. The government has tailored strategies to address these issues, focusing on hard-to-reach areas like Karachi, Quetta, and southern KP.
“We are implementing region-specific plans involving local influencers to enhance campaign effectiveness,” Bharath added.
Pakistan is also planning synchronized vaccination efforts with Afghanistan, with discussions set for December in Doha, Qatar, under WHO guidance.
Authorities remain hopeful that coordinated strategies will help curb the virus spread and bring Pakistan closer to eradicating polio.