- More than 550% increase casts a long shadow over previously optimistic outlook on polio elimination
ISLAMABAD: A surge in polio cases is threatening Pakistan’s hard-fought progress towards eradicating the crippling disease as October witnessed a significant increase, with more than a dozen new cases reported, bringing the year’s total to 39—a dramatic rise from the mere six cases recorded in 2022.
This represents a more than 550% increase and casts a long shadow over the nation’s previously optimistic outlook on polio elimination. The primary driver of this resurgence is alarmingly low vaccine uptake; over one million children missed their polio doses in September alone, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable.
This worrying trend is compounded by several critical factors.
First, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to disrupt vaccination efforts, widening existing immunity gaps. Second, the concentration of new cases in Balochistan province highlights persistent parental reluctance to vaccinate children, despite the severe risks associated with polio.
Many of the infected children had received partial vaccination but failed to complete the required four doses, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive immunization schedules.
Furthermore, the fight against polio is being severely hampered by escalating violence targeting vaccination workers.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, at least 27 attacks on polio workers have been reported this year, creating a climate of fear and insecurity that hinders access to vulnerable communities. Militant groups, often fueled by conspiracy theories that paint vaccines as a Western conspiracy, continue to pose a significant threat, with several recent killings of polio workers and security personnel highlighting the perilous nature of their work.
The legacy of distrust, stemming from allegations of a fake vaccination program used in the 2011 US hunt for Osama bin Laden, further complicates efforts to build public confidence in vaccination campaigns.
Despite these daunting challenges, Pakistani authorities remain committed to polio eradication. A new nationwide campaign, launched on October 28th, aims to vaccinate a massive 45 million children under five. This ambitious undertaking represents a crucial effort to bolster immunity and stem the tide of the recent resurgence.
However, the success of this campaign hinges on overcoming the multifaceted obstacles presented by low vaccine acceptance, security threats, and persistent misinformation, demanding a comprehensive and sustained effort to rebuild trust and ensure the accessibility of life-saving vaccines to all children. The ultimate goal of eliminating polio transmission by 2025 remains a challenging but vital aspiration for the nation.
