Pakistan and Afghanistan have launched new polio vaccination drives as the disease re-emerges, with 64 reported cases this year. In Pakistan, a nationwide campaign aims to immunize over 45 million children, while Afghanistan’s effort targets 6.2 million children over three days. Misinformation and violence against health workers complicate these efforts in both countries.
On Monday, Pakistan and Afghanistan commenced new vaccination initiatives against polio as the disease resurfaces in both countries, the only remaining nations where polio is endemic. The World Health Organization has documented 64 polio cases this year alone—41 in Pakistan and 23 in Afghanistan—representing a significant increase from just six cases in 2022 in each country. In Pakistan, officials have mobilized 400,000 polio workers in a nationwide house-to-house campaign designed to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five during a weeklong effort. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s advisor on polio eradication, noted, “This is Pakistan’s third nationwide campaign this year, launched in response to the alarming increase in polio cases across 71 districts.” Notably, a majority of the recorded infections are concentrated in the southwestern Balochistan province, where there is currently significant viral transmission. Other regions, including Sindh and various areas across Pakistan, have reported fewer cases but still contribute to the overall surge. Anwarul Haq, the coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, emphasized the critical role parents play in the vaccination campaign. He stated, “With the threat at an all-time high, we must act as one nation to keep our children safe through vaccination.” The resurgence is attributed, in part, to misconceptions propagated in rural regions suggesting that vaccination efforts serve as a means of Western sterilization of Muslim children. Additionally, anti-government militancy has made vaccination efforts perilous, resulting in attacks against health workers. In Afghanistan, health officials within the Taliban-run administration also initiated a three-day vaccination campaign, targeting 6.2 million children in 16 provinces, particularly those near the Pakistani border. This campaign follows a delay in vaccination efforts that had been halted in Kandahar due to concerns over the Taliban’s security and their perception of vaccination efforts as potential surveillance activities. While the Taliban has expressed a need for vaccination through mosque outreach rather than home visits, WHO officials emphasize the need for better integration of migrant populations into vaccination efforts, alongside strategies to engage communities resistant to vaccines. The establishment of a female public health workforce dedicated to this initiative is also regarded as vital to overcoming the obstacles faced in Afghanistan’s polio eradication efforts. Overall, both Pakistan and Afghanistan find themselves under increasing pressure to contain a disease that can inflict irreversible harm on children and threaten regional health stability. The concerted vaccination efforts reveal ongoing challenges surrounding misinformation, security, and vaccination resistance that experts believe must be addressed to eliminate polio altogether.
Polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, presenting a significant health challenge as both countries grapple with the resurgence of the disease. The World Health Organization’s monitoring of polio cases indicates that both nations have seen a troubling uptick in infections, necessitating renewed vaccination campaigns. Pakistan has logistically marshalled a considerable workforce for a nationwide immunization push while Afghanistan, under its current regime, struggles to maintain effective vaccination delivery, particularly in politically sensitive areas such as Kandahar. The overarching goals include reaching out to vulnerable populations and combating vaccine hesitancy linked to misconceptions about the program’s intent.
The recent vaccination drives in Pakistan and Afghanistan signify a significant response to the alarming rise in polio cases in both countries. These initiatives, which involve extensive mobilization of health workers and community engagement strategies, reflect critical efforts to safeguard children’s health against the crippling disease. Addressing the underlying issues of misinformation and security threats remains essential for achieving success in eradicating polio in these regions.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
