500,000 Children Missed Polio Vaccinations in Pakistan’s Recent Drive
An estimated 500,000 Pakistani children missed polio vaccinations during this month’s nationwide inoculation drive, confirmed the country’s chief health official. The primary reasons cited were refusal to vaccinate or unavailability due to travel during the campaign.
Polio Cases and the Vaccination Campaign
Polio continues to be endemic in Pakistan, one of only two countries worldwide where the disease remains a serious concern. The campaign faces numerous challenges, including misinformation, vaccine refusal, and violent attacks on health workers by militants.
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Efforts to Track Missing Children
Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Pakistan’s coordinator on national health services, told Arab News that despite the setback, the government is committed to tracking down and vaccinating the missing children. “We will chase them, we will track them, and we will vaccinate them,” Bharath said.
Impact of Afghan Refugees on Polio Cases
The resurgence of polio cases in Pakistan is partly due to a large number of unvaccinated Afghan refugees who were repatriated and moved across the country, carrying the virus.
Security and Attacks on Polio Teams
The security situation in some areas has hindered vaccination efforts, with attacks on polio teams and law enforcement personnel increasing in recent months. Last month, a bomb blast targeted police protecting polio workers, killing five children and two police officers.
Efforts to Improve the Situation
Bharath highlighted that over 90 polio workers have been killed in the line of duty since 2012. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that Pakistan’s polio program has one of the best surveillance systems in the world.
Targeted Vaccination Strategy for High-Risk Areas
The authorities are focusing on high-risk areas such as Karachi, Quetta, and parts of KP, where polio remains persistent. A targeted strategy has been developed for these areas, and synchronized vaccination campaigns with Afghanistan are being planned to eliminate the disease.
Conclusion: Moving Forward in the Fight Against Polio
The government remains hopeful that increased coordination with neighboring countries, along with a more tailored approach to each region’s unique challenges, will eventually lead to the eradication of polio.