ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has issued an urgent appeal to parents to ensure timely polio vaccinations for their children in response to a worrying rise in reported cases. This year, the number of polio cases in Pakistan has surged to 56, signaling a critical public health concern.
In a statement, Prof. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui, Central President of PIMA, highlighted the necessity of vaccinations to combat the debilitating disease.
“The rise in polio cases is alarming. Vaccination is the only proven way to protect children from lifelong disability caused by polio. I urge all parents to get their children vaccinated without delay,” Prof. Siddiqui emphasized.
Prof. Siddiqui also addressed widespread misconceptions surrounding polio vaccines. He underscored the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, stating, “Do not believe the false rumors about polio vaccines. The vaccines are safe, effective, and essential for our children’s health.”
The organization urged the public to actively support national polio eradication campaigns by cooperating with vaccination teams. Polio eradication remains a high-priority initiative for Pakistan, with health authorities striving to eliminate the disease through mass immunization drives and public awareness campaigns.
PIMA’s call to action aligns with broader efforts to eradicate polio, a disease that has plagued Pakistan despite years of rigorous vaccination campaigns. The association stressed that eradicating polio requires collective efforts from parents, healthcare workers, and community leaders.
This renewed appeal comes at a time when the global community has largely eradicated polio, with Pakistan remaining one of the few countries still grappling with endemic transmission. Experts believe achieving polio-free status is possible if parents play their role in vaccinating children during routine and special campaigns.