Pakistan begins nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government kicked off a nationwide campaign to administer anti-polio vaccine drops to over 45 million children today, Monday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, amid an alarming surge in cases in the South Asian country this year. 

The countrywide campaign will be conducted from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, especially in areas where the poliovirus is rampant. Polio volunteers aim to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five years old during the week-long campaign, the state-run media said. 

This is Pakistan’s third nationwide campaign against polio this year, launched in response to an alarming increase in polio cases with 41 reported so far across 71 districts. Last year, Pakistan reported only six cases of the infection. 

“Anti-polio vaccination campaign of varied duration begins across the country on Monday,” Radio Pakistan said. “Special teams of health department will go door to door to ensure that every child receives vaccine drops.”

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment, saying that under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s guidance, the government is “re-energized” in its efforts to combat polio.

“Starting October 28, our polio workers will reach every corner of Pakistan, delivering the vaccine and securing a healthier future for our children,” Farooq said in a statement. 

She urged parents to prioritize vaccinations, warning that the virus was now present in 71 districts of the country. 

“The Government of Pakistan is bringing this vaccine directly to your doorsteps,” Farooq said. “Please welcome and support our dedicated health workers by ensuring your children are vaccinated.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio remains endemic. Since late 2018, Pakistan has seen a resurgence of cases and increased spread of poliovirus, highlighting the fragility of gains achieved in the preceding three years.

Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio have suffered due to frequent attacks on polio vaccination teams and security personnel protecting them.

Many in Pakistan believe the conspiracy theory that polio vaccines are part of a plot by Westerners to sterilize the country’s population. The masses’ doubts regarding polio campaigns were exacerbated in 2011 when the US Central Intelligence Agency set up a fake vaccination program to gather intelligence on former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.