Pakistan has initiated a nationwide vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 45 million children from polio. This effort comes in response to a recent surge in new polio cases, which has posed challenges to the country's ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease. Pakistan is one of the two countries where polio has never been fully eradicated.
Despite facing obstacles such as violence targeting health workers and police involved in vaccination campaigns, Pakistan remains committed to its vaccination efforts. Militants have spread false claims that the vaccination campaigns are part of a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
The current campaign, the third of its kind this year, will run until Sunday to address the rise in polio cases. Children under the age of 5 will receive polio vaccinations and Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity.
Government officials, including the Prime Minister, have emphasized the importance of ensuring that every child is vaccinated. Health workers are conducting door-to-door visits to reach all eligible children.
Authorities have reported 41 polio cases across 71 districts in Pakistan this year, with the majority of cases concentrated in Balochistan and Sindh provinces. Concerns have been raised about the spread of the disease to new locations, particularly following the halt of a vaccination campaign in the northwest region bordering Afghanistan.
Pakistan's efforts to combat polio are crucial, especially in light of the recent decision by the Afghan Taliban to suspend their own vaccination campaign. The World Health Organization has confirmed 18 polio cases in Afghanistan this year, highlighting the cross-border implications of the disease.
Polio remains a significant global health concern, as it is highly infectious and can lead to permanent paralysis and even death. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio transmission has never been interrupted, underscoring the importance of sustained vaccination efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
